FB: Region 6 fan poll

[02 Warhawk]

I think the non-con schedule is what we have to look at, and there is some evidence that supports the relative strength of the WIAC. But, except for Morningside (we think) and maybe St Norbert, not a lot of worthy opponents to compare. I did see the UWW/Morningside game, and thought Morningside was a legit team based on my eye test.

Still, it seems as though the WIAC and the MIAC are similar in that the top teams and bottom teams are far apart. The "second tier" in the MIAC didn't look as good in the non-con part of the season, but may be on the upswing, particularly Concordia.

To add to HansenRating's and my point, it's not just that their beating these non-conference teams...but it's the way they're beating them. Yes, it is a little weak, but I would add John Carroll as a solid nonconference win for the WIAC (along with Morningside and St. Norbert). Teams like UWO, UWP, UWL and UWSP are beating lower level teams just like UWW, St. Thomas or MHB would be doing. Most of the top half of the WIAC's nonconference games aren't even close.

If those games were a lot closer, and if UWO/L/P/SP showed signs of struggling then I would probably agree to your "What if" statement. 2012 was a great example of UWW coming down a level (or 3), that would definitely apply to what you're saying.

[HansenRatings]

Another way to look at this, each WIAC team's MoV over their non-con opponents relative to their opponents' average scoring margin.

Team	Opp #1	MoV-Avg	Opp #2	MoV-Avg	Opp #3	MoV-Avg	Avg Dif
UWW	TCNJ	+22.2	Belhaven	+22.2	Morningside	+65.2	+36.5
UWO	John Carroll	+45.8	Finlandia	+33.7	Morthland	+89.8	+56.4
UWP	George Fox	+49.8	St. Francis	+24.8	Lakeland	+58	+44.2
UWSP	St. Norbert	+51.6	Albion	+26.6	Adrian	+23.2	+33.8
UWLAX	Luther	+25.6	Ripon	+40.3	Carroll	+10.6	+25.5

On average, these 5 teams beat their non-conference opponents by 31.3 points worse than every other team they played. We're looking at 15 opponents here. Of those 15 opponents, their game against a WIAC team was their worst scoring margin for 12 of the 15. It was at least their second-worst scoring margin for 15 of the 15 opponents. The 3 opponents where the margin wasn't the worst:
Belhaven vs. UWW
Finlandia vs. UWO
Carroll vs. UWLAX

[HansenRatings]

Another way to look at this, each WIAC team's MoV over their non-con opponents relative to their opponents' average scoring margin.

Team	Opp #1	MoV-Avg	Opp #2	MoV-Avg	Opp #3	MoV-Avg	Avg Dif
UWW	TCNJ	+22.2	Belhaven	+22.2	Morningside	+65.2	+36.5
UWO	John Carroll	+45.8	Finlandia	+33.7	Morthland	+89.8	+56.4
UWP	George Fox	+49.8	St. Francis	+24.8	Lakeland	+58	+44.2
UWSP	St. Norbert	+51.6	Albion	+26.6	Adrian	+23.2	+33.8
UWLAX	Luther	+25.6	Ripon	+40.3	Carroll	+10.6	+25.5

On average, these 5 teams beat their non-conference opponents by 31.3 points worse than every other team they played. We're looking at 15 opponents here. Of those 15 opponents, their game against a WIAC team was their worst scoring margin for 12 of the 15. It was at least their second-worst scoring margin for 15 of the 15 opponents. The 3 opponents where the margin wasn't the worst:
Belhaven vs. UWW
Finlandia vs. UWO
Carroll vs. UWLAX

Morthland skews this, because they actually have a positive scoring margin if you exclude their UWO game, but even if you exclude Morthland, the WIAC MoV over average would still be 27.1

[wally_wabash]

As an aside, here's why the NCAA SoS metric is garbage.

Required reading, tbh. 

[emma17]

I think the non-con schedule is what we have to look at, and there is some evidence that supports the relative strength of the WIAC. But, except for Morningside (we think) and maybe St Norbert, not a lot of worthy opponents to compare. I did see the UWW/Morningside game, and thought Morningside was a legit team based on my eye test.

Still, it seems as though the WIAC and the MIAC are similar in that the top teams and bottom teams are far apart. The "second tier" in the MIAC didn't look as good in the non-con part of the season, but may be on the upswing, particularly Concordia.

I get the feeling, other than UMHB, all of the consistent D3 powers are down, at least from a dominant player or side of the ball perspective. It's actually what gives me hope for UWW.
I've certainly not watched every top D3 team this year, but I've caught video of quite a few. From Mt to St T to UWW and UWO, Wesley, NCC and Wheaton, Linfield and Wabash, I've not seen any player or side of the ball that showed dominance/greatness. I believe all or most of the teams mentioned above had greatness in one or more aspects of their team.
Not seeing it this year.

[02 Warhawk]

I think the non-con schedule is what we have to look at, and there is some evidence that supports the relative strength of the WIAC. But, except for Morningside (we think) and maybe St Norbert, not a lot of worthy opponents to compare. I did see the UWW/Morningside game, and thought Morningside was a legit team based on my eye test.

Still, it seems as though the WIAC and the MIAC are similar in that the top teams and bottom teams are far apart. The "second tier" in the MIAC didn't look as good in the non-con part of the season, but may be on the upswing, particularly Concordia.

I get the feeling, other than UMHB, all of the consistent D3 powers are down, at least from a dominant player or side of the ball perspective. It's actually what gives me hope for UWW.
I've certainly not watched every top D3 team this year, but I've caught video of quite a few. From Mt to St T to UWW and UWO, Wesley, NCC and Wheaton, Linfield and Wabash, I've not seen any player or side of the ball that showed dominance/greatness. I believe all or most of the teams mentioned above had greatness in one or more aspects of their team.
Not seeing it this year.

I've noticed the same thing. Seems to be a down year all around for D3, as for as teams being their normal dominate self. MHB might be the exception though. Maybe it's their year 

[miac952]

I think the non-con schedule is what we have to look at, and there is some evidence that supports the relative strength of the WIAC. But, except for Morningside (we think) and maybe St Norbert, not a lot of worthy opponents to compare. I did see the UWW/Morningside game, and thought Morningside was a legit team based on my eye test.

Still, it seems as though the WIAC and the MIAC are similar in that the top teams and bottom teams are far apart. The "second tier" in the MIAC didn't look as good in the non-con part of the season, but may be on the upswing, particularly Concordia.

I get the feeling, other than UMHB, all of the consistent D3 powers are down, at least from a dominant player or side of the ball perspective. It's actually what gives me hope for UWW.
I've certainly not watched every top D3 team this year, but I've caught video of quite a few. From Mt to St T to UWW and UWO, Wesley, NCC and Wheaton, Linfield and Wabash, I've not seen any player or side of the ball that showed dominance/greatness. I believe all or most of the teams mentioned above had greatness in one or more aspects of their team.
Not seeing it this year.

I've noticed the same thing. Seems to be a down year all around for D3, as for as teams being their normal dominate self. MHB might be the exception though. Maybe it's their year 

Would agree with these comments specific to UST. I don't think this is a UST team on the same level as last year. A couple of injuries and the graduation of a couple key lineman and DB's has maybe dropped them a notch.

Playoffs are a funny business though. Would have never imagined the 2012 UST team going to the Stagg, especially after a last second miracle just to defeat Eau Claire to start the season, but sometimes the cards fall just right and a team gels. Will be interesting to see. Im all for exciting 1st and 2nd round playoff games and some parody, preferably not with my squad though 

[retagent]

If Erdman comes back from injury, the combo of him and Clark could be that sparkle you're looking for. Alvord to Clark has not been too bad either.

[D O.C.]

I've noticed the same thing. Seems to be a down year all around for D3, as for as teams being their normal dominate self. MHB might be the exception though. Maybe it's their year 

Let's hope South gets sent North then.

[02 Warhawk]

              2016 Week 8 West Fan Poll

Rank      Team           Previous     Points   
1)   UW-Whitewater (8)      1          80     
2)   UW-Oshkosh             2          70   
3)   St. Thomas             3          66   
4)   Linfield               5          49     
5t)  St. John's             6          44     
5t)  UW-Platteville         4          44   
7)   Coe                    7          34     
8)   Monmouth               8          22     
9)   Dubuque                9          16   
10)  Concordia-Moorhead    N/A         12

Dropped Out: UW-La Crosse

RV)  UW-La Crosse (1), Whitworth (1), UW-Stevens Point (1)


Thanks to those for participating: art76, doolittledog, Walla Walla Wildcat, desertcat1, HansenRatings, TwoArmedScott, wartnight and 02 Warhawk

[02 Warhawk]

 
1)  UW-Whitewater (8)      80      ( 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1)
2)  UW-Oshkosh             70      ( 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3)
3)  St. Thomas             66      ( 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3)
4)  Linfield               49      ( 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6)
5t) St. John's             44      ( 4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 9)
5t) UW-Platteville         44      ( 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 7, 7, 8)
7)  Coe                    34      ( 6, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8)
8)  Monmouth               22      ( 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8,10,10)
9)  Dubuque                16      ( 8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9,10)
10) Concordia-Moorhead     12      ( 7, 7, 9,10,10, -, -, -)

RV) UW-La Crosse            1      (10, -, -, -, -, -, -, -)
RV) Whitworth               1      (10, -, -, -, -, -, -, -)
RV) UW-Stevens Point        1      (10, -, -, -, -, -, -, -)

[HansenRatings]

Only thirteen teams receiving votes, and each of the three not in the top 10 were placed last by their voter. That's dang close to a consensus.

I had UW-SP as my #10 team (but for the first time all year I didn't have 10 teams from the West in my national ballot). I just can't look past the loss by Concordia to Jamestown, even though it was the first week. To me, that loss is as bad as losing to Carleton/St. Olaf.

[02 Warhawk]

Only thirteen teams receiving votes, and each of the three not in the top 10 were placed last by their voter. That's dang close to a consensus.

I had UW-SP as my #10 team (but for the first time all year I didn't have 10 teams from the West in my national ballot). I just can't look past the loss by Concordia to Jamestown, even though it was the first week. To me, that loss is as bad as losing to Carleton/St. Olaf.

Point really disappointed me this past week. I really wanted to put UWL or UWSP in my top 10. However, when UWL lost to a bad UWEC team...there's no way I can justify putting UWL in my top 10. UWSP showed me no reason they belong in the top 10 after their offense (and special teams) failed to score a single point in Whitewater (even with UWW's banged up secondary that La Crosse lit up). I understand UWW is good, but UWSP was suppose to be at least competitive, and not give up 24 points at half. Also, by the sounds of it, the lead should have been a lot more than that if UWW receivers didn't drop as many balls as they did.

So I decided on Concordia-Moorhead as my 10th team. They at least put up a fight against the top team in their conference...and probably should have beaten St. Thomas. Which is much more than I can say for Point against UWW. To me, it was a no brainer: CMH > Point

[jamtod]

I'd love to hear the justification from whoever had St John's at #9.
I'm not sure they should be lower than #9 in the country, much less regional.

[wartknight]

Only thirteen teams receiving votes, and each of the three not in the top 10 were placed last by their voter. That's dang close to a consensus.

I had UW-SP as my #10 team (but for the first time all year I didn't have 10 teams from the West in my national ballot). I just can't look past the loss by Concordia to Jamestown, even though it was the first week. To me, that loss is as bad as losing to Carleton/St. Olaf.

Point really disappointed me this past week. I really wanted to put UWL or UWSP in my top 10. However, when UWL lost to a bad UWEC team...there's no way I can justify putting UWL in my top 10. UWSP showed me no reason they belong in the top 10 after their offense (and special teams) failed to score a single point in Whitewater (even with UWW's banged up secondary that La Crosse lit up). I understand UWW is good, but UWSP was suppose to be at least competitive, and not give up 24 points at half. Also, by the sounds of it, the lead should have been a lot more than that if UWW receivers didn't drop as many balls as they did.

So I decided on Concordia-Moorhead as my 10th team. They at least put up a fight against the top team in their conference...and probably should have beaten St. Thomas. Which is much more than I can say for Point against UWW. To me, it was a no brainer: CMH > Point

Ditto for me for with CM @ #10. Same thought process as 02.