FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[bleedpurple]

Hosting is a huge edge. And I think UWW has a couple big play WR. But Wheaton was 50 50 pass run all season. Vs central they had 35 runs and 35 passes. Hit some big plays.  Bethel threw it down the field regularly especially with the QB limping

02, Bethel had an elite deep threat in Kidder at WR this year. Roste being hobbled was what really limited our running game.

I have watched 3 UWW games this year and the thing that stuck out to me every time is the speed and physicality of the defensive backfield. It's a differentiator for sure. Central has seen some of that the last two weeks but not across the board like UWW will bring. It will be a major factor in my opinion.

I think this is the best back 7 Central will have seen yet. I also think this is going away the best QB/WR combo WW has seen yet. Should be a fascinating matchup. If WW can get pressure with 4, and still contain Hawkins when he scrambles, that will bode well. Hawkins showed on the last drive v. Wheaton how he can improvise and extend plays if you can't get him down on the first shot.

Because of Central's gaudy numbers, the marquee match up in many people's minds is the Central O vs the Whitewater defense. And that is understandable.  Both teams' fans have things they can point to that makes them feel confident in the match up.  What I've not heard much of is reasons Central's defense will slow the Whitewater offense.  Personally, I believe we will put 40 or more on them. Of course, I may be wrong.  But if I'm not, that will be a large hill to climb for Central against the 2021 Whitewater defense.

[gbpuckfan]

Just passing along a different take on UWO:

https://oshkoshexaminer.com/uw-oshkosh-football-coach-raised-thousands-using-unauthorized-group/

The lead...


By Miles Maguire

Pat Cerroni, who abruptly resigned Monday as coach of the UW Oshkosh Titan football team, brought in tens of thousands of dollars this year by using an unsanctioned fundraising group that the school feared may have broken university and NCAA regulations.

During the offseason Cerroni, the winningest coach in the school's history, recruited some of his former players to form a nonprofit group called the Oshkosh Football Factory (OFF).

"UWO understands that OFF may have contributed to UWO Football expenses without UWO's knowledge or agreement, which could violate both the policies governing UWO's relationships with affiliated organizations and NCAA regulations," Bob Roberts, UW Oshkosh's vice chancellor for university affairs, wrote in a Nov. 9 letter to the lawyer who helped set up the nonprofit.

[USee]

Bleed,

The reason the focus is on Central O vs UWW D is because this isn't going to be a 17-10 type of game. If Central is gonna compete they are going to have to outscore UWW, which as you note will be a tall order. They barely did that to Wheaton. The Thunder fumbled at midfield and muffed a punt on their own 20 to give away two possessions. And Central had some absolute magic happen on 3 other plays (at least) that all went their way or Wheaton wins. Central's scheme on D is pretty good and well constructed to maximize their strengths. What they do with Maddy Hunter (#54) is unique and difficult to gam plan for all the possibilities. And they have some physical and fast DB's.  I think their hope is to create some confusion in assignment, avoid big plays and gang tackle, hoping the other team makes a couple mistakes that end drives. This makes up for their personnel deficiencies against bigger/faster teams. Then they rely on their Offense to outscore you. The Wheaton game turned on about 5 plays that, if different, would have resulted in Wheaton winning something like 42-17. That could easily be the UWW result (and is probably the likely outcome). The Warhawks are going to have to avoid critical mistakes and Central will need to play out of their minds (again) to compete.  This Central group has some Polar Express belief that is fueling them this year for sure.

[bleedpurple]

Bleed,

The reason the focus is on Central O vs UWW D is because this isn't going to be a 17-10 type of game. If Central is gonna compete they are going to have to outscore UWW, which as you note will be a tall order. They barely did that to Wheaton. The Thunder fumbled at midfield and muffed a punt on their own 20 to give away two possessions. And Central had some absolute magic happen on 3 other plays (at least) that all went their way or Wheaton wins. Central's scheme on D is pretty good and well constructed to maximize their strengths. What they do with Maddy Hunter (#54) is unique and difficult to gam plan for all the possibilities. And they have some physical and fast DB's.  I think their hope is to create some confusion in assignment, avoid big plays and gang tackle, hoping the other team makes a couple mistakes that end drives. This makes up for their personnel deficiencies against bigger/faster teams. Then they rely on their Offense to outscore you. The Wheaton game turned on about 5 plays that, if different, would have resulted in Wheaton winning something like 42-17. That could easily be the UWW result (and is probably the likely outcome). The Warhawks are going to have to avoid critical mistakes and Central will need to play out of their minds (again) to compete.  This Central group has some Polar Express belief that is fueling them this year for sure.

Thanks USee. Great analysis!

[D O.C.]

I see WW pounding it over for a 7 point lead and then getting 2 picks to frustrate Central's chances of keeping it close.

[02 Warhawk]

Just passing along a different take on UWO:

https://oshkoshexaminer.com/uw-oshkosh-football-coach-raised-thousands-using-unauthorized-group/

The lead...


By Miles Maguire

Pat Cerroni, who abruptly resigned Monday as coach of the UW Oshkosh Titan football team, brought in tens of thousands of dollars this year by using an unsanctioned fundraising group that the school feared may have broken university and NCAA regulations.

During the offseason Cerroni, the winningest coach in the school's history, recruited some of his former players to form a nonprofit group called the Oshkosh Football Factory (OFF).

"UWO understands that OFF may have contributed to UWO Football expenses without UWO's knowledge or agreement, which could violate both the policies governing UWO's relationships with affiliated organizations and NCAA regulations," Bob Roberts, UW Oshkosh's vice chancellor for university affairs, wrote in a Nov. 9 letter to the lawyer who helped set up the nonprofit.

Well, if true....Then he wouldn't be the first coach in college sports to jump ship before the sh** hits the fan.

[hazzben]

Hosting is a huge edge. And I think UWW has a couple big play WR. But Wheaton was 50 50 pass run all season. Vs central they had 35 runs and 35 passes. Hit some big plays.  Bethel threw it down the field regularly especially with the QB limping

02, Bethel had an elite deep threat in Kidder at WR this year. Roste being hobbled was what really limited our running game.

I have watched 3 UWW games this year and the thing that stuck out to me every time is the speed and physicality of the defensive backfield. It's a differentiator for sure. Central has seen some of that the last two weeks but not across the board like UWW will bring. It will be a major factor in my opinion.

I think this is the best back 7 Central will have seen yet. I also think this is going away the best QB/WR combo WW has seen yet. Should be a fascinating matchup. If WW can get pressure with 4, and still contain Hawkins when he scrambles, that will bode well. Hawkins showed on the last drive v. Wheaton how he can improvise and extend plays if you can't get him down on the first shot.

Because of Central's gaudy numbers, the marquee match up in many people's minds is the Central O vs the Whitewater defense. And that is understandable.  Both teams' fans have things they can point to that makes them feel confident in the match up.  What I've not heard much of is reasons Central's defense will slow the Whitewater offense.  Personally, I believe we will put 40 or more on them. Of course, I may be wrong.  But if I'm not, that will be a large hill to climb for Central against the 2021 Whitewater defense.

My assumption is UWW is better and more balanced than Wheaton (run heavy) and Bethel (pass heavy) were. Given we scored 28 and 35 respectively, I think 40+ is a fair assumption.

[USee]

I wish Wheaton was run heavy this year.  Probably would still be playing and might be undefeated. 

[CardinalAlum]

I wish Wheaton was run heavy this year.  Probably would still be playing and might be undefeated. 

I would strongly agree!

[hazzben]

I wish Wheaton was run heavy this year.  Probably would still be playing and might be undefeated. 

Yeah run heavy isn't the right phrase, the strength of the O was their running game. Either way, UWW from what I've seen is more balanced than either.

[Schipper Strong]

Bleed,

The reason the focus is on Central O vs UWW D is because this isn't going to be a 17-10 type of game. If Central is gonna compete they are going to have to outscore UWW, which as you note will be a tall order. They barely did that to Wheaton. The Thunder fumbled at midfield and muffed a punt on their own 20 to give away two possessions. And Central had some absolute magic happen on 3 other plays (at least) that all went their way or Wheaton wins. Central's scheme on D is pretty good and well constructed to maximize their strengths. What they do with Maddy Hunter (#54) is unique and difficult to gam plan for all the possibilities. And they have some physical and fast DB's.  I think their hope is to create some confusion in assignment, avoid big plays and gang tackle, hoping the other team makes a couple mistakes that end drives. This makes up for their personnel deficiencies against bigger/faster teams. Then they rely on their Offense to outscore you. The Wheaton game turned on about 5 plays that, if different, would have resulted in Wheaton winning something like 42-17. That could easily be the UWW result (and is probably the likely outcome). The Warhawks are going to have to avoid critical mistakes and Central will need to play out of their minds (again) to compete.  This Central group has some Polar Express belief that is fueling them this year for sure.

So 5 plays was the difference in the game? If all 5 plays had changed to go Wheaton's way, they would have won? Of course there were no plays that went Wheaton's way that would not have made a difference, like an interception at the 5 yard line? An interception on the first drive of the second half? A blatant pass interference that was not called on Wheaton? Or some that were called against Central?

Thought Wheaton's front 7 was supposed to be the greatest defense in DIII, now it is UWW's. Central's defense isn't going to keep up with Peete. That sounds like what I heard about Gio Weeks. They have a Gagliardi candidate QB, so did Bethel. Central will get respect when they beat Bethel, the ARC is down. Central will get respect when they beat Wheaton, Bethel's QB was injured. Central will earn respect when they beat Whitewater, Weeks was injured. Central earned my respect a long time ago. I spent some time comparing NCAA stats. Central's are better in a lot of categories. You know what? I respect the WIAC and Whitewater. I expect a battle. I expect a focused Central team that has been for every game all year long. They didn't magically change into this team when the playoffs started. They focused and stepped up to the competition. The battle can be won.

[bleedpurple]

Bleed,

The reason the focus is on Central O vs UWW D is because this isn't going to be a 17-10 type of game. If Central is gonna compete they are going to have to outscore UWW, which as you note will be a tall order. They barely did that to Wheaton. The Thunder fumbled at midfield and muffed a punt on their own 20 to give away two possessions. And Central had some absolute magic happen on 3 other plays (at least) that all went their way or Wheaton wins. Central's scheme on D is pretty good and well constructed to maximize their strengths. What they do with Maddy Hunter (#54) is unique and difficult to gam plan for all the possibilities. And they have some physical and fast DB's.  I think their hope is to create some confusion in assignment, avoid big plays and gang tackle, hoping the other team makes a couple mistakes that end drives. This makes up for their personnel deficiencies against bigger/faster teams. Then they rely on their Offense to outscore you. The Wheaton game turned on about 5 plays that, if different, would have resulted in Wheaton winning something like 42-17. That could easily be the UWW result (and is probably the likely outcome). The Warhawks are going to have to avoid critical mistakes and Central will need to play out of their minds (again) to compete.  This Central group has some Polar Express belief that is fueling them this year for sure.

So 5 plays was the difference in the game? If all 5 plays had changed to go Wheaton's way, they would have won? Of course there were no plays that went Wheaton's way that would not have made a difference, like an interception at the 5 yard line? An interception on the first drive of the second half? A blatant pass interference that was not called on Wheaton? Or some that were called against Central?

Thought Wheaton's front 7 was supposed to be the greatest defense in DIII, now it is UWW's. Central's defense isn't going to keep up with Peete. That sounds like what I heard about Gio Weeks. They have a Gagliardi candidate QB, so did Bethel. Central will get respect when they beat Bethel, the ARC is down. Central will get respect when they beat Wheaton, Bethel's QB was injured. Central will earn respect when they beat Whitewater, Weeks was injured. Central earned my respect a long time ago. I spent some time comparing NCAA stats. Central's are better in a lot of categories. You know what? I respect the WIAC and Whitewater. I expect a battle. I expect a focused Central team that has been for every game all year long. They didn't magically change into this team when the playoffs started. They focused and stepped up to the competition. The battle can be won.

I know you aren't "speaking" to me, but for the record Central definitely has the respect of the Warhawks and their coaches. I spent last evening with about 15 guys from the team and spoke with the Head Coach and several assistants. My relationship with them is such that they are straightforward in their thoughts. They are respectful of every opponent, but they will also tell me when they feel like the opponent is overmatched in ways and how we hope to take advantage of that.  There was none of that "overmatched" talk when it came to Central. Both players and coaches had a very consistent response.  "They are good".  They are preparing for Central to be every bit as good as UW-La Crosse and our game with them came down to the last play. What I love about our guys is they lit up talking about it.  100% of them were really fired up to have a challenge.  Their only issue is the same as ours.  They wish the game were right now.

[Schipper Strong]

Thanks Bleed. So looking forward to the game.

[badgerwarhawk]

Actually all this talk about our dominance this week has made me a tad uncomfortable.  Nobody is taking the Central game for granted.  Nobody is talking about Linfield or Mary Harden Baylor.  We're pretty much in tune with how difficult it will be to win this game.  Central isn't going to be intimidated or beaten before they take the field.  Hawkins is elite.  Central is very good.  Hopefully we're a little bit better.   

[02 Warhawk]

Exactly, I'm always the one looking ahead...more so than most. The Linfield/MHB is the furthest thing from my mind. Need to take of a business at home first tomorrow.