FB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[GrizFan]

About the same odds when we beat Otterbein and North Central in 2008.   

[GRIZ_BACKER]

Does Franklin have another surprise in them for Burton's senior year?? 

I think it's a good matchup.

My take on the bracket is that Franklin didn't the first or second round guaranteed game of death (Mount, UHMB, OshKosh, etc). Certainly Wartburg will be a very stout opponent and the GRIZ will need to play well the entire game to have a chance to win. Looking forward to a great road trip and playing a team we have never played before.

[HansenRatings]

Have to say, didn't see that matchup coming.
As always when the Grizzlies play a tough team, I look at the first 3 possessions. Far too many times Franklin has started off slow and dug a hole they can't recover from.

Massey says the Knights win 42-27 and give Franklin a 13% chance of winning

My model says 40-28 (77%-23%) in favor of Wartburg, so slightly less bullish on the Knights. In case an of you missed it, I've highlighted Wartburg-Franklin in this graphic: https://www.hansenratings.com/playoff-stat-profiles
Haven't watched Franklin play at all, but it seems to me like their best bet is to forget they even have a running game and just pass every play. Wartburg has been really good at methodically running down the clock in the second half with leads this year, so I wouldn't recommend falling into a hole for Franklin.

[MediaGuy]

Just a welcome invitation to any Franklin fans traveling to Waverly for the game this weekend...I hope you stay in a local hotel and eat meals at some local establishments...You may be tempted to go to Waterloo/Cedar Falls (the nearest Metro Area) just 15 minutes down the road, but you'll really miss out on some of the quaint and interesting places in Waverly if you do.  For meals, I would recommend the following

The Dirty Dog...Sports Bar near Campus, great bloody Marys with a bunch of cool stuff and really spicy food if you're into that kind of thing.
http://www.dirtydogwaverly.com/

Sasquatch Jacks...Sporty atmosphere but great food
https://www.sasquatchjacks.com/

The Other Place II...Sports Bar across from campus, great wings and even better pizza
http://theotherplace.com/

Or if you don't mind driving a few minutes across town, there is the East Bremer Diner, which has awesome sandwiches, and homemade salad dressings
http://eastbremerdiner.com/

Also the main road through town is currently under construction so please be careful and take a little extra time to drive through town, you can easily drive right off the pavement if you aren't paying attention, and your GPS might tell you to turn on a road that isn't currently open so be careful.

And if you are interested in listening to the game on the radio while at the field, the full broadcast can be heard on 96.3FM, AM1470 and 89.9FM.  The pregame show starts at 11am CST and has a bunch of interviews of the coaches and players and can also be streamed online

http://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/KWAYAM

I hope to meet a few Griz fans at the game and I hope you all have safe travels.  If you have any questions about hotels or things to do in the area, please reply and I'll try to help as much as I can.

[HansenRatings]

Just a welcome invitation to any Franklin fans traveling to Waverly for the game this weekend...I hope you stay in a local hotel and eat meals at some local establishments...You may be tempted to go to Waterloo/Cedar Falls (the nearest Metro Area) just 15 minutes down the road, but you'll really miss out on some of the quaint and interesting places in Waverly if you do.  For meals, I would recommend the following

The Dirty Dog...Sports Bar near Campus, great bloody Marys with a bunch of cool stuff and really spicy food if you're into that kind of thing.
http://www.dirtydogwaverly.com/

Sasquatch Jacks...Sporty atmosphere but great food
https://www.sasquatchjacks.com/

The Other Place II...Sports Bar across from campus, great wings and even better pizza
http://theotherplace.com/

Or if you don't mind driving a few minutes across town, there is the East Bremer Diner, which has awesome sandwiches, and homemade salad dressings
http://eastbremerdiner.com/

Also the main road through town is currently under construction so please be careful and take a little extra time to drive through town, you can easily drive right off the pavement if you aren't paying attention, and your GPS might tell you to turn on a road that isn't currently open so be careful.

And if you are interested in listening to the game on the radio while at the field, the full broadcast can be heard on 96.3FM, AM1470 and 89.9FM.  The pregame show starts at 11am CST and has a bunch of interviews of the coaches and players and can also be streamed online

http://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/KWAYAM

I hope to meet a few Griz fans at the game and I hope you all have safe travels.  If you have any questions about hotels or things to do in the area, please reply and I'll try to help as much as I can.

I'll chime in with my food recommendations:

If you like Mexican, El Sol (I think that's what it's called now) on the far East side of town is great. Can't go wrong with a pitcher of margs and the "Fajitas for Two" (steak, chicken, shrimp, and all the fixins--not recommended for any less than 4 people with healthy appetites).

If you want some breakfast/brunch food, go to Dell's Diner. It might be tricky to get to with the construction, but it's only a few (5-ish) blocks from campus. It's your typical small-town breakfast diner, and it's incredible.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Sadly I won't be there, but I'm sure there will be a good contingent of blue and gold that make the trip. And some good tailgating too.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Nice first drive for Franklin. 7-0 less than 4 minutes into the game.
Franklin has had issues in the 1st quarter in tough games. Much better start so far.

[GrizFan]

Where is Alexander?  We are missing the top WR in D3.

[GrizFan]

Concussion protocol from Thursday practice.   

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Franklin rips the ball loose right at the goal line to keep the score tied at 14... and then the Wartburg coach with a 15 yard penalty arguing.
Have to say, refs haven't been unkind to the Griz today.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

21-21 at halftime. That's already the 2nd most points Wartburg has given up this season.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

28-28 headed to the 4th... Franklin with the wind at their back.
One of a few close games in the first round

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Headed to OT tied at 28. Franklin failed on 4th and 4 from the 9 in the 3rd quarter going into the wind. I have no problem with that call. They failed on a 4th and 1 inside the 5 about midway through the 4th... that one I would have kicked the FG.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Heartbreaker for the Grizzlies. Wartburg scores first in OT... Franklin matches but goes for 2 and the ball is just a bit behind the receiver and off his hands. Wartburg survives 35-34.

[GrizFan]

FC chose not to take three easy kicks and it cost them!