FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[emma17]

Four days until the season kicks off for UWW, playing at John Carroll. Imo this is an excellent opponent from a style standpoint to welcome new coach Rindahl. I could be wrong, I get the feeling JCU is more a meat and potatoes team that will make you earn it physically. They won't necessarily beat you with flash and overwhelming speed. UWW will need to execute and greatly limit the mistakes, especially the type we've seen in some recent openers.

I'm sure we'd all feel better if the coaching staff had found a way to get the backup QB's some meaningful reps last year, it is what it is. I get the feeling both will rise to the occasion.

[Riley Zayas]

Had a great conversation with Matt Walker, HC at UWRF last week. Very excited to cover Saturday's matchup in River Falls! Hearing there should be a large crowd on hand, which should make for a great atmosphere. Very interested to see how UWRF's offense, and specifically Blaha, match up against UMHB's defensive front!

https://truetothecru.com/2023/08/28/entering-season-opener-against-umhb-no-23-uw-river-falls-is-aiming-to-seize-its-opportunity-in-2023/

[02 Warhawk]

Time for my annual recruit message...

Let me know if anyone is interested in participating in the Region 6 fan poll. I'll probably have at least one open spot if you're interested.

Much appreciated!

[emma17]

Had a great conversation with Matt Walker, HC at UWRF last week. Very excited to cover Saturday's matchup in River Falls! Hearing there should be a large crowd on hand, which should make for a great atmosphere. Very interested to see how UWRF's offense, and specifically Blaha, match up against UMHB's defensive front!

https://truetothecru.com/2023/08/28/entering-season-opener-against-umhb-no-23-uw-river-falls-is-aiming-to-seize-its-opportunity-in-2023/

Thanks for sharing, Riley- this is a great article.
I think the big question is whether UWRF is ready to take down a top team. To this point, they've played the best teams tough, but find a way to lose. Coach Walker feels they've definitely gotten over the hump of believing deep down they can win. We will see Saturday.

[HansenRatings]

Playoff (and Isthmus Bowl) projections for the season using my model's preseason ratings:



You can look at other conferences on my website: https://hansenratings.github.io/.

[Riley Zayas]

Had a great conversation with Matt Walker, HC at UWRF last week. Very excited to cover Saturday's matchup in River Falls! Hearing there should be a large crowd on hand, which should make for a great atmosphere. Very interested to see how UWRF's offense, and specifically Blaha, match up against UMHB's defensive front!

https://truetothecru.com/2023/08/28/entering-season-opener-against-umhb-no-23-uw-river-falls-is-aiming-to-seize-its-opportunity-in-2023/

Thanks for sharing, Riley- this is a great article.
I think the big question is whether UWRF is ready to take down a top team. To this point, they've played the best teams tough, but find a way to lose. Coach Walker feels they've definitely gotten over the hump of believing deep down they can win. We will see Saturday.

Yep...it's going to be a question if they can get over that hump that has held them back in big games the past few years. This feels like a toss-up of a game...I don't see a clear favorite. UWRF looks like they can take a big step forwards.

Once again, the WIAC will be so much fun this season. I have to say that I'm excited that I'll get to see both UWRF and Whitewater play in person during the regular season. Can't wait!

[fredfalcon]

Bleed ,  you are absolutely right about Blaha. I did not read carefully enough. Hope he plays better than I read.

I am not as optimistic about the Falcons on Saturday as some posters. Hope I am wrong.
A lot of our key performers are juniors, Including the entire backfield. I think next year will be a greater year for the Falcons.

[timmyturtle]

River Falls is going to be just fine..you guys have absolutely closed the athleticism gap and can compete heads-up with anyone, a win this weekend certainly wouldn't surprise me.  On a side note, there is no team that drives me more nuts to watch than UWRF, and I mean that with complete respect...I've only watched them 6 times in the last 3 years or so but I bet I've seen them go for it on 4th down 40 times, 40!!!   I watched them go for it on 4th down 7 times in the 1st half of one game and get it 6 of them.  Just when you think you have them stopped and they have to punt...nope, boom 1st down!!  It drives me nuts, imagine what it does to your opponent. Best of luck to everyone!

[The Third Division]

Parker Olsen noted that Reed Farrington is missing from the 108-man roster posted by UWW.

.... And makaio harn.

[bleedpurple]

Parker Olsen noted that Reed Farrington is missing from the 108-man roster posted by UWW.

.... And makaio harn.

Yep. Reed is expected back next spring. Thankfully, the D-Line depth is awesome. You always miss a guy like Reed, but our D-Line will be lights out.  At RB we have a ton of young talent behind Tamir Thomas. We will be fine.

And did you guys not read my report on the D-Line a few days ago? 

[hazzben]

River Falls is going to be just fine..you guys have absolutely closed the athleticism gap and can compete heads-up with anyone, a win this weekend certainly wouldn't surprise me.  On a side note, there is no team that drives me more nuts to watch than UWRF, and I mean that with complete respect...I've only watched them 6 times in the last 3 years or so but I bet I've seen them go for it on 4th down 40 times, 40!!!   I watched them go for it on 4th down 7 times in the 1st half of one game and get it 6 of them.  Just when you think you have them stopped and they have to punt...nope, boom 1st down!!  It drives me nuts, imagine what it does to your opponent. Best of luck to everyone!

Is that an analytics driven decision on 4th down?

[timmyturtle]

I'm guessing it must be, it certainly helps to have that kid at QB.  And as long as the success rate falls within whatever tolerance parameters the coaches are comfortable with, I assume they are going to keep doing it.

[palum]

Platteville posted its roster on their website. 56 players from Illinois and 42 from Wisconsin. Looks like Coach Munz likes to recruit south of the border as much as Emendorfer did. Platteville opens tonight at Lakeland.

[emma17]

Parker Olsen noted that Reed Farrington is missing from the 108-man roster posted by UWW.

.... And makaio harn.

Yep. Reed is expected back next spring. Thankfully, the D-Line depth is awesome. You always miss a guy like Reed, but our D-Line will be lights out.  At RB we have a ton of young talent behind Tamir Thomas. We will be fine.

And did you guys not read my report on the D-Line a few days ago? 

Good reports Bleed, thanks.
I didn't see mention of a Farrington in your report, I hope whatever is keeping him out this season isn't too serious.
I see a freshman at 5'11" 190 pounds in the list of those competing. That kid must be a wrestler to compete at that weight.

[bleedpurple]

Parker Olsen noted that Reed Farrington is missing from the 108-man roster posted by UWW.

.... And makaio harn.

Yep. Reed is expected back next spring. Thankfully, the D-Line depth is awesome. You always miss a guy like Reed, but our D-Line will be lights out.  At RB we have a ton of young talent behind Tamir Thomas. We will be fine.

And did you guys not read my report on the D-Line a few days ago? 

Good reports Bleed, thanks.
I didn't see mention of a Farrington in your report, I hope whatever is keeping him out this season isn't too serious.
I see a freshman at 5'11" 190 pounds in the list of those competing. That kid must be a wrestler to compete at that weight.

You are right. AND I was was wrong. He is a wrestler. In fact he was the Suburban Life Wrestler of the Year and Downers Grove North's first Illinois State Champion. Where I was wrong was in his weight. Our roster lists him at 235. I almost emailed Coach Cortez and asked to double check his weight because all I could find online was a couple places that listed him at 190.

But he's used to mixing it up with the big boys. He won the state championship in the 285 pound division.

Oh regarding Reed, the only thing I was referring to was that I didn't list him before the roster didn't list him.  I'm not really comortable talking about specific as to why guys are not on the team. But I can say it had nothing to do with discipline or anything Reed did wrong, that's for sure. I think he plans on being with the guys and leading from the sideline this year.