FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Next Man Up]

I'm sure all the remaining teams are on the same wavelength with you 02 Warhawk. The coaching staffs no doubt have been emphasizing this to their teams all week. Looking past the next game is one of the best ways to lose it, especially considering the high skill level of the Elite Eight teams still alive.

[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.

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.

It's sometimes convenient to latch on to one or two things a poster says and use it twist meaning or interpret it another way. I have said repeatedly that Central can absolutely beat UWW, Hawkins is as good as Broc Rutter, who by the way won the Gagliardi and the Stagg. And his supporting cast is good enough to win. Of course there are 5 plays that could have gone differently for EITHER team last week that would have dramatically altered the result. That's the nature of a game that got decided on literally the last play.

The bracket on this side is no joke and if Central wins out, there will be no debate who was the best team. Same is true for whomever gets to the Stagg from this side of the bracket.

[emma17]

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.

You've seen those types of games up close. Linfield had some very strong passing attacks in at least a couple of those games.

[WarhawkDad]

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.

[/b] 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 believe it will be a battle as well. I have been comparing UWW statistics against other teams for about 12 years and the most interesting thing to me is that while traditionally UWW NCAA D3 stats during the regular season are typically good, they are not usually top 10 coming into the playoffs because they play in the WIAC against strong teams, while other teams from other conferences may have much better NCAA national statistic rankings.   By the end of the playoffs and the end of the Stagg Bowl UWW's stats have traditionally moved up significantly.    While I do not have a crystal ball, it would not surprise me that we see the same thing this year.    This appears to be a great 3rd round match-up!

WarhawkDad

[Ice Bear]

Ice Bear says all good thoughts here as he too doesn't believe any team, at this point in the rodeo would ****ing underestimate their opponent. These coaches are too smart and experienced for this to happen. Ice Bear believes all the athletes at this point are smelling blood in the water and the last thing they would allow to get in their way is to overlook any opponent.

Ice would go as far as to say that even North Central, an obvious favorite over RPI, isn't taking the Engineers lightly. While possibly playing at another tier level, North Central and all teams know that any team that made it this far, is a good team in their own right. That they may have the potential to, whether we're talking schematics, matchups, physicality, athleticism, or bits and pieces of each, cause fits and derail the team's goal of a National Championship.

Ice just ****ing loves this time of year!

[bleedpurple]

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.

I missed all the talk about our dominance. Where are you seeing it?

[bleedpurple]

Ice Bear says all good thoughts here as he too doesn't believe any team, at this point in the rodeo would ****ing underestimate their opponent. These coaches are too smart and experienced for this to happen. Ice Bear believes all the athletes at this point are smelling blood in the water and the last thing they would allow to get in their way is to overlook any opponent.

Ice would go as far as to say that even North Central, an obvious favorite over RPI, isn't taking the Engineers lightly. While possibly playing at another tier level, North Central and all teams know that any team that made it this far, is a good team in their own right. That they may have the potential to, whether we're talking schematics, matchups, physicality, athleticism, or bits and pieces of each, cause fits and derail the team's goal of a National Championship.

Ice just ****ing loves this time of year!

I agree 100%.
Not taking ANY opponent lightly is the hallmark of an elite team.  Both Mount Union and UW-W has emphasized a 1-0 approach for decades. 

[emma17]

Of course no team should be looking passed tomorrow's opponent.

But if it helps motivate the players, it's projected to be 47 degrees on December 17 in Canton, w only a 3% chance of rain.

[bleedpurple]

Of course no team should be looking passed tomorrow's opponent.

But if it helps motivate the players, it's projected to be 47 degrees on December 17 in Canton, w only a 3% chance of rain.

That's flat out balmy compared to some weather we have endured for the Stagg!

[BoBo]

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.

I missed all the talk about our dominance. Where are you seeing it?

Bleed, it's my opinion that it's not totally what's been seen but what's not been seen. Some in my circle of acquaintances say I possess a kind of long range mind reading skill. I've detected this week that there are some on here who I have inner thoughts that UWW's dominance in games exactly like this will once again rule supreme tomorrow. They just don't have the balls to make it known openly. That's all cool and will remain between me and them.

[Schipper Strong]

It's sometimes convenient to latch on to one or two things a poster says and use it twist meaning or interpret it another way. I have said repeatedly that Central can absolutely beat UWW, Hawkins is as good as Broc Rutter, who by the way won the Gagliardi and the Stagg. And his supporting cast is good enough to win. Of course there are 5 plays that could have gone differently for EITHER team last week that would have dramatically altered the result. That's the nature of a game that got decided on literally the last play.

The bracket on this side is no joke and if Central wins out, there will be no debate who was the best team. Same is true for whomever gets to the Stagg from this side of the bracket.

I apologize USee. You have given excellent analyses of the games before and after. You have also been kind with your words. I was out of line. My enthusiasm gets me into trouble. You didn't know you had a momma bear type on the board.

[bleedpurple]

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.

I missed all the talk about our dominance. Where are you seeing it?

Bleed, it's my opinion that it's not totally what's been seen but what's not been seen. Some in my circle of acquaintances say I possess a kind of long range mind reading skill. I've detected this week that there are some on here who I have inner thoughts that UWW's dominance in games exactly like this will once again rule supreme tomorrow. They just don't have the balls to make it known openly. That's all cool and will remain between me and them.

Ahh. Now I understand. 

[GBMAN]

It should be in the mid to high 30's for kickoff. Go Warhawks!!!

[emma17]

Congratulations to UWW, a terrific performance today by the O and D. Special teams came on strong too. I love the way the D "figures out" their opponent as the game goes on- just as Coach Bullis said at halftime.

[MasterJedi]

That was a thing of beauty.