FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[WRMUalum13]

@BleedPurple... You were fairly close on your last score prediction (Central) what say you v UMHB?

I'm going 24-14 Warhawks.

Sheeeeeeesh..

UWW is favored in the game, so it's not that outlandish. Plus it's in Whitewater

A 10 point MOV for any of the 4 semi final team certainly seems in the realm of possibilities to me

[CruFrenzy]

@BleedPurple... You were fairly close on your last score prediction (Central) what say you v UMHB?

I'm going 24-14 Warhawks.

Sheeeeeeesh..

UWW is favored in the game, so it's not that outlandish. Plus it's in Whitewater

UWW is absolutely a level above Linfield when it comes to physicality and pass rush in the front 7 in comparison to Linfield. I mentioned that earlier in the week as well, but I think it's a closer game than 10 points. UMHB has a clear advantage in the WR vs DB category but like Bleed Purple said if the UWW pass rush is getting home consistently that would nuetralize our strength.

Is there odds/lines out for this game? I have seen betting odds in previous seasons for the Stagg Bowl but never the semis. Was curious since you said UWW was "favored".

[WRMUalum13]

@BleedPurple... You were fairly close on your last score prediction (Central) what say you v UMHB?

I'm going 24-14 Warhawks.

Sheeeeeeesh..

UWW is favored in the game, so it's not that outlandish. Plus it's in Whitewater

UWW is absolutely a level above Linfield when it comes to physicality and pass rush in the front 7 in comparison to Linfield. I mentioned that earlier in the week as well, but I think it's a closer game than 10 points. UMHB has a clear advantage in the WR vs DB category but like Bleed Purple said if the UWW pass rush is getting home consistently that would nuetralize our strength.

Is there odds/lines out for this game? I have seen betting odds in previous seasons for the Stagg Bowl but never the semis. Was curious since you said UWW was "favored".

Not sure of betting lines, but here's some computer model predictions

Hansen: UWW -3.5
Massey: UWW -3

Massey has a 56% win prob for the Warhawks

[02 Warhawk]

@BleedPurple... You were fairly close on your last score prediction (Central) what say you v UMHB?

I'm going 24-14 Warhawks.

Sheeeeeeesh..

UWW is favored in the game, so it's not that outlandish. Plus it's in Whitewater

UWW is absolutely a level above Linfield when it comes to physicality and pass rush in the front 7 in comparison to Linfield. I mentioned that earlier in the week as well, but I think it's a closer game than 10 points. UMHB has a clear advantage in the WR vs DB category but like Bleed Purple said if the UWW pass rush is getting home consistently that would nuetralize our strength.

Is there odds/lines out for this game? I have seen betting odds in previous seasons for the Stagg Bowl but never the semis. Was curious since you said UWW was "favored".

Hansen Ratings has UWW -3.5

From our secondary UWW has a pair of players on the all-region team, so I'm not sure about being a "clear" advantage. Not to mention a host of others on the dline and LB.

No offense to the ASC, but not too many teams down there are known for their defense. The entire conference's (including MHB) SOS is pretty bad. However, what MHB did to Linfield was impressive.

That's all we heard last week was how Central had the best passing attack in the country. They scored twice on our defense. They did light up a good Bethel team, and beat a very good Wheaton team. So they had a decent resume coming into whitewater. I think that's the big x-factor....In Whitewater.

I think it'll be an even match across the board, with no clear advantages.

[bleedpurple]

From our secondary UWW has a pair of players on the all-region team, so I'm not sure about being a "clear" advantage. Not to mention a host of others on the dline and LB.

Also not to mention that the two starters in the secondary NOT on the all-region team include Kyle Koelblinger, who is the WIAC Newcomer of the Year, and Thomas Wojnowski, who has five interceptions, including a pick 6.  Lots of depth too.

BUT, I also recognize Brandon Jordan is a beast, KJ Miller and Aaron Sims can fly, and Brenton Martin has had a few monster games, including last week against Linfield.  They will present a tremendous challenge, no doubt.  A lot of talent on both sides of the ball.  It will be important for the Hawks' D-line to be in top form to move Jones off his spot. If they can do that, and they usually can, I like our chances.

[USee]

Central does have an elite offense. And the UWW defense took care of business. That's why they have one of the very best defenses in the country. I have seen 2 elite secondary's this year: UWW and North Central. Admittedly I have not watched UMHB except for a few highlights so have no knowledge of what they bring other than a very impressive result vs Linfield.

[CruFrenzy]

@BleedPurple... You were fairly close on your last score prediction (Central) what say you v UMHB?

I'm going 24-14 Warhawks.

Sheeeeeeesh..

UWW is favored in the game, so it's not that outlandish. Plus it's in Whitewater

UWW is absolutely a level above Linfield when it comes to physicality and pass rush in the front 7 in comparison to Linfield. I mentioned that earlier in the week as well, but I think it's a closer game than 10 points. UMHB has a clear advantage in the WR vs DB category but like Bleed Purple said if the UWW pass rush is getting home consistently that would nuetralize our strength.

Is there odds/lines out for this game? I have seen betting odds in previous seasons for the Stagg Bowl but never the semis. Was curious since you said UWW was "favored".

Not sure of betting lines, but here's some computer model predictions

Hansen: UWW -3.5
Massey: UWW -3

Massey has a 56% win prob for the Warhawks

I have a good deal of respect for both Massey and Hansen ratings, but it should be noted that Mount Union is rated higher than UWW and UMHB and was the #1 team in the Masseyratings until last week and that is obviously not the case this year if you know a lick about football and have watched the games this season...

But with that being said I think UWW -3 is pretty fair & I'd say that home field advantage at a place that has proven to be so difficult for opposing teams has to be calculated into that line. A place that UMHB has never won at that, no two ways around it UMHB will need a fantastic performance to win at the Perk.

No offense intended on the UMU comment just giving my two cents from what I have seen.

[CruFrenzy]

@BleedPurple... You were fairly close on your last score prediction (Central) what say you v UMHB?

I'm going 24-14 Warhawks.

Sheeeeeeesh..

UWW is favored in the game, so it's not that outlandish. Plus it's in Whitewater

UWW is absolutely a level above Linfield when it comes to physicality and pass rush in the front 7 in comparison to Linfield. I mentioned that earlier in the week as well, but I think it's a closer game than 10 points. UMHB has a clear advantage in the WR vs DB category but like Bleed Purple said if the UWW pass rush is getting home consistently that would nuetralize our strength.

Is there odds/lines out for this game? I have seen betting odds in previous seasons for the Stagg Bowl but never the semis. Was curious since you said UWW was "favored".

Hansen Ratings has UWW -3.5

From our secondary UWW has a pair of players on the all-region team, so I'm not sure about being a "clear" advantage. Not to mention a host of others on the dline and LB.

No offense to the ASC, but not too many teams down there are known for their defense. The entire conference's (including MHB) SOS is pretty bad. However, what MHB did to Linfield was impressive.

That's all we heard last week was how Central had the best passing attack in the country. They scored twice on our defense. They did light up a good Bethel team, and beat a very good Wheaton team. So they had a decent resume coming into whitewater. I think that's the big x-factor....In Whitewater.

I think it'll be an even match across the board, with no clear advantages.

No offense taken, have nothing but respect for the WIAC and its strength as a conference. That has always been an advantage for UWW (getting to play tough teams in the regular season).

I know your secondary players are good players, that's obvious. But I believe we have the best receiving corps in the D3 world, so we'll agree to disagree about there being no advantage. But that's not all there is to it, I also believe just as strongly your front 7 will have the advantage on our offensive line, so we'll see how it plays out.

And no offense to Central, but as good as they were at 7 on 7 offense, they don't have anywhere near the athletes we have. I watched that game too.. super excited for the game !

[Toby Taff]

I try not to get into "y'all haven't seen anything like ..." conversations so I wont. I'll just say that a 3 point advantage basically means the game is a pick'em. Home field is generally considered 3 pts. Both teams are deep, both teams have elite players that are confident in their abilities, and neither fan base has been watching the other team this year, so all we have to go on is a few weeks of game reporting. So I'll provide some insight folks kmow what to watch for.

Brandon Jordan is a beast, when he wants to play. Sometimes it seems like he just isn't in to it and smaller guys can handle him. KJ Miller is the biggest weapon on the team he just has a nose for getting yards and UMHB plays its best when they find ways to put the ball in his hands (also, don't punt to this guy). Martin gets free a lot. He is every bit as fast as Sims and Miller. Dropped the ball some early in the season and it looked like King just didn't look for him. For the last half of the season he's caught almost everything. We don't have A running back we have 3. 2 get most of the PT. 27 runs violently, its fun to watch. 5 is the leading rusher, and has gotten more physical as the season has progressed. RB 3 is my personal favorite nad he runs and hits like a hammer when he is in the game.

On D, we have 8 guys that rotate in and out on the line with no real drop off. the area that makes me nervous is db's they're a little too aggressive sometimes and hang Fritz out. It's made it look like Fritz is getting burned when someone just blew the coverage. #5's TD last week was such a play the LB just let the RB run free across the middle and the rest was history That said, there's a reason Fritz has the conference record for INTs in a career and is a perrenial All-American. Dudes a stud at safety, and possibly the best punter left in the playoffs. (also, probably best not to punt to him, but better option than punting to KJ).

[02 Warhawk]

Saturday's forecast in Whitewater just increased its winds from 10-20mph, to now 20-30mph!!!! Winds will be blowing almost straight across the field. Temps in the mid 30s, and snow in the morning with "higher wind gusts possible".

Good luck airing it out. Pound the round Hawks, let's go!!

Gonna be 80 in Belton the next couple of days 

[Toby Taff]

Saturday's forecast in Whitewater just increased its winds from 10-20mph, to now 20-30mph!!!! Winds will be blowing almost straight across the field. Temps in the mid 30s, and snow in the morning with "higher wind gusts possible".

Good luck airing it out. Pound the round Hawks, let's go!!

Gonna be 80 in Belton the next couple of days 

i. Have seen it north of 100 in February down here.

[CruFrenzy]

Saturday's forecast in Whitewater just increased its winds from 10-20mph, to now 20-30mph!!!! Winds will be blowing almost straight across the field. Temps in the mid 30s, and snow in the morning with "higher wind gusts possible".

Good luck airing it out. Pound the round Hawks, let's go!!

Gonna be 80 in Belton the next couple of days 

That game spread inching a little closer to -4 -4.5 now lol. Shouldn't yall have a dome by now?

[Riley Zayas]

"A lot of people talk about our tradition of playing Mount Union, but our tradition of playing Mary Hardin-Baylor, goodness gracious. It's a dogfight. I'm talking about 15 years of it, going back to Coach Berezowitz and Coach Fredenburg."

-UW-Whitewater head coach Kevin Bullis

Bullis spoke with the media earlier this week about the matchup with UMHB and his thoughts on everything from UMHB QB Kyle King to the keys to the game for his team on Saturday.

Really excited to go and cover this semifinal contest.

https://truetothecru.com/2021/12/08/theres-nothing-like-home-wisconsin-whitewater-excited-to-host-umhb-in-d-iii-semifinals/

[WRMUalum13]

@BleedPurple... You were fairly close on your last score prediction (Central) what say you v UMHB?

I'm going 24-14 Warhawks.

Sheeeeeeesh..

UWW is favored in the game, so it's not that outlandish. Plus it's in Whitewater

UWW is absolutely a level above Linfield when it comes to physicality and pass rush in the front 7 in comparison to Linfield. I mentioned that earlier in the week as well, but I think it's a closer game than 10 points. UMHB has a clear advantage in the WR vs DB category but like Bleed Purple said if the UWW pass rush is getting home consistently that would nuetralize our strength.

Is there odds/lines out for this game? I have seen betting odds in previous seasons for the Stagg Bowl but never the semis. Was curious since you said UWW was "favored".

Not sure of betting lines, but here's some computer model predictions

Hansen: UWW -3.5
Massey: UWW -3

Massey has a 56% win prob for the Warhawks

I have a good deal of respect for both Massey and Hansen ratings, but it should be noted that Mount Union is rated higher than UWW and UMHB and was the #1 team in the Masseyratings until last week and that is obviously not the case this year if you know a lick about football and have watched the games this season...

But with that being said I think UWW -3 is pretty fair & I'd say that home field advantage at a place that has proven to be so difficult for opposing teams has to be calculated into that line. A place that UMHB has never won at that, no two ways around it UMHB will need a fantastic performance to win at the Perk.

No offense intended on the UMU comment just giving my two cents from what I have seen.

I get what you're saying, this year's Mount team hasn't been as confidence inspiring as some past teams, but then again Massey ratings have actually predicted more playoffs games correctly than the D3Fb polls this year so IDK. Just happy we get to sort it out on the field.

[Toby Taff]

"A lot of people talk about our tradition of playing Mount Union, but our tradition of playing Mary Hardin-Baylor, goodness gracious. It's a dogfight. I'm talking about 15 years of it, going back to Coach Berezowitz and Coach Fredenburg."

-UW-Whitewater head coach Kevin Bullis

Bullis spoke with the media earlier this week about the matchup with UMHB and his thoughts on everything from UMHB QB Kyle King to the keys to the game for his team on Saturday.

Really excited to go and cover this semifinal contest.

https://truetothecru.com/2021/12/08/theres-nothing-like-home-wisconsin-whitewater-excited-to-host-umhb-in-d-iii-semifinals/

nice article Riley. i was headed over hear to share the link.