Quote from: hazzben on June 04, 2026, 02:52:48 PM

Quote from: sjusection105 on May 27, 2026, 10:11:20 PM

Quote from: Texas Ole on May 27, 2026, 05:48:39 PMWhat's everyone's favorite thing to hunt?  Love me some dove hunting.  High limits with lots of shooting.  If it flies and dies I am in.  Deer hunting is nice, but in Texas it's not the most sporting of activities in my opinion.  Hoping to do some hog/predator hunting with the thermal scope soon.

Deer, but wild love to do wild hog. I'm glad we don't have them in the area of our family farm where I hunt deer.

Pheasant, I enjoy how active it is. I get a bit bored in the tree stand all day. Wild hog is on the list for sure.

Not that anyone asked, but got done with SJU visit #2 with my oldest Sunday. Prospect camp, we did a Jr Day visit earlier this Spring. Both Dumo and Heckendorf were really great, as much as I'd like to still believe all Johnnies are horrible degenerates.   I will also say, your burgers are much better than Bethel's. 

Fun Spring so far, next few weeks will be interesting with NDSU and UWRF Mega Camp on deck. Hoping to get the camps done early so we can enjoy summer and prep for Sr season. It's crazy how much pressure is on these kids to go to every camp under the sun. Very different from when we old farts did this process.

I know this might sound strange.  But could you please post a few pictures of the UW-RF Mega Camp that's happening tomorrow.  No hurry, but I would be interested in the turnout.  New coach running the camp, but after a Division 3 Championship.  Thanks

Forgot to add a big transfer to UWL lineup.

Marc Coy RB Marist HS -> St Thomas
           6'1 225 lbs
            3 years of eligibility
a national top 200 RB out of High School. 

Quote from: crufootball on June 13, 2026, 12:24:22 PM

Quote from: UMHB03 on June 12, 2026, 02:30:25 PM

Quote from: The Third Division on June 12, 2026, 01:53:35 PMEither hardin simmons is gonna drop a schedule soon or we're just gonna assume they won't be playing football this fall.

Howard Payne still hasn't released theirs either, unless I missed it. Nobody understands the difficulty of finding non-conference opponents in our region better than UMHB fans, but not having a schedule out less than 90 days before the season kicks off is pretty wild.

Speaking of non-conference opponents, I attended a conference at Bethel University in Minnesota and it was kind of wild how close they were to some of their conference and non conference opponents. Heck they could walk to a non conference opponent as the University of Northwestern is less then 2 miles away. I wanted to check some of the football fields out and in less then an hour I saw Bethel, Augsburg, Hamline, Macalester and former member St. Thomas. I really wanted to justify going out to Saint John's but that is one of their long drives at 76 miles which  I would gladly do to see a game but not see an empty football field.

You didn't go to the home of the Division 3 National Champions?  35 miles from Hamline.  Could have taken the real trophy and replaced it with a forgery.   

Going just by WIAC Standings (Not including NON-CON):

1) UW-L. Experienced QB and a Top 2 receiver in the conference (Janke).  Lost the top 2 Rb but have solid replacements.  Lost an all-American Tackle (Walter), but still has some top end talent on the line.  Defensive back field is the position I'm most worried about.  Lost some valuable senior leadership this past year.  I know Coach Z told Pat they were bringing in between 6-10 transfers this upcoming season to fill holes.  I expect most will be on the defensive end of the ball.  Wouldn't be shocked if this team plays in the Stage Bowl.

2) UW-RF The beat down they put on the Cardinals in the second half was a thing of beauty.  They could have outscored them 42-0 in the second half in not for a few plays.  They still have the best defensive player in the WIAC (Sussner). They still recruit some of the best Non D1 talent in the greater Minneapolis area.  Coach Wissing will continue to do great things at UW-RF.

3) UWO  Demir is exactly the type of player Coach Jennings is looking for.  Duel threat with amazing speed.  The only question is if he can hold up for 10 regular season games and hopefully the playoffs.  Not to knock the MIAC, but if Oshkosh played in that conference, he could sit the second half in most games.  Don't think he'll be able to do that in the WIAC.  Not much student love for the team.  They always needed the stadium on the other side of the river.

4)UWW They need big time receivers.  Last year against UW-L, they made no plays.  All 3 starting WR'S were 5'10".  That won't cut it in the WIAC.  Lost impactful players on both sides of the ball.  Just got pushed around by DePauw in the snow.  Couldn't stop the run or run the ball.  Coach Rindahl might be on the hot seat if things don't change.  Football is too important and the revenue it generates is greatly needed.

5) UW STOUT POLY
BEST offensive player in the conference Devonte Evans.  Watched then last year twice.  In the Culver's Bowl, Evans couldn't be stopped.  Very Jekyll and Hyde team.  To many times they showed up not ready to play early.  Both Culver's game and this past season against UW PLATTEVILLE.

6) UW PLATTEVILLE
They have problems playing a full game.  Should have lost to Stout and were close to losing to Oshkosh.  They have big linemen and great running backs.  But they couldn't put teams away.  This year it catches up.  They also have graduated some outstanding receivers who just won't be replaced easily.

7 UWEC.
Might have the best head coach in the WIAC, and he's the offensive coordinator Phil Ockinga.  Poor team, starts 3-0 and then goes win less in conference.  Next year might be a better gauge of this teams outlook.  Again not to disparage the MIAC, but this team would easily finish 3.  But to beat Platteville to finish 6th is ridiculous.

8 UW-Point
Someone has to finish in last. 

Quote from: Mitch Hall on June 13, 2026, 01:56:56 PMThank you BigMark for the preview. I share your interest in the UWEC situation. They always seem to have a young team and I wonder if they retain guys as well as some programs. I admit that I haven't taken the time analyze their rosters. Maybe this is their breakthrough year. What is the status of their plan for an on campus facility ? I hope they stay at Carson, as it is my favorite WIAC venue.

They recruit from Chicago to Minneapolis.  Looking at the 2025 roster, lots of freshmen and sophomore players.  They should be an improved team for 2026, but who's worse this year in the conference?  The quarterback play won't be in the top half of the conference. 
To tell you how unfair the WIAC is: The 3 best quarterbacks could be former D1 or D2 players.

1) Kyle Hass - Winona State
2) Demir Ashiru - Farris State
3) Drew VanVleet - Dayton

Unless your team is getting D2 talent, your going to be a bottom half team.

It's not who you lose, it's who do you have to replace them.  The Packers lost Favre, but had Rodgers. 

Does NCC have anyone near the talent of Sullivan to replace him?  No.
How about Roby.  I would argue not even close.
Rewatch that 2nd half.  The D was gassed and looked small. 
Don't be surprised when Bethel puts up 40+ in week 1.

My question to you then is:
1) Would you feel the same way for a coach?

Where do you draw the line?  DePauw just received a huge monetary gift.  Is that fair?  I understand the grad students and being upset.  But is that WashU or JCU fault? 

Maybe we should have a Division 3B  For only 4 year schools?  Leave Redshirt and extended spring practices to D3 University's with Grad studies.

D1 Rejects interview with UWO Coach Jennings. 

Quote from: USee on June 02, 2026, 10:19:43 AM

Quote from: AndrewB on June 01, 2026, 06:43:42 PMNorth Central just lost too much this off season.

This is almost funny. Have you been watching the last 5 years? Unless something dramatic has changed, North Central will have plenty of talent on the field in September.

Never said they wouldn't be a top 10 team.  They won't win the Stagg Bowl in January.  Losing the 2 best players on defense will have a huge effect.  Rewatch the 2nd half against UWRF last year.  That's not a #1 overall team.  Every team - Whitewater, UMHB, Mount Union has had minor rough patches.  This could be the beginning for NC.

Yes, WAY to early for a poll.  That players can still change teams, I don't know how anyone can have clarity.  This upcoming season looks wide open to me.  From everything I followed so far.  I would say La Crosse is the most talented team.  But no way they end the season #1.  Not with that schedule.  North Central just lost too much this off season.

Quote from: Jbothe on May 31, 2026, 11:31:25 AMWIAC stadiums and facilities are ridiculously good.

I'm not sure facilities at the D3 level are as big of a deal in recruiting as other levels.

If you look at recent history, facilities play a huge part in recruiting.  There's a reason UW-Whitewater won 6 titles. (Biggest stadium) & Amazing locker room. SUNY Cortland A+ facilities.  UMHB as Pat said, best stadium in D3.  UWRF new $60 million dollar improvements. The elite players want to feel as though they are D1 players.  Now the arms race is getting out of hand.  UWEC with a 100 million plus facility along with DePauw. 

Just now looking at an older UW OSHKOSH Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/100057229549365/posts/pfbid02amoV7hkwYNph1xC9mZujWDiyWqNHXqbWnuvKbr9PXWzH9pYowsaBQvfKAynUkKBUl/

Getting 60 commitments sounds crazy.  They beat Linfield and UW River Falls.    Can't believe that so much turnover existed
 

As Pat just talked about on the podcast. 
UW-Oshkosh just received a commitment from Demir Ashiru.  Quarterback from North Central.  Wouldn't be surprised if he finishes Top-5 in the Gagliardi voting the next season.

And reported by TheThirdDivision, Nigel Cheek, a JUCO All-american commitment to UW-Whitewater.

The rich getting richer.

Just looking at the Top-20 teams this upcoming season.  I would be shocked if the talent level was ever higher.  The very top teams (1-4) from 15-25 years ago were probably better.  But today's depth is unmatched.

https://www.youtube.com/live/DabyvylpIR4?si=OTIEdGc_s1wC9ma9

Fun interview with Peter Jennings.  No, not the news reporter.  The head coach of UW-Oshkosh. Goes over his coaching history, and plans moving forward. 
ENJOY.

Quote from: PauldingLightUP on May 08, 2026, 11:29:34 AMUW-Platteville schedule is posted in full.

I see the Dubuque game is at 1:00 pm.  Last 3 they played were at night.  Only reason I can think of is the flight to Springfield the following week.  Too bad.  Was a fun night game atmosphere.