FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[emma17]

UWRF shoutout in The Athletic today

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6799625/2025/11/12/lincoln-riley-lane-kiffin-coaching-carousel/

Really interested in seeing how NCC would potentially match up with them were they to meet in the playoffs.

As much as I'd love for UWRF (if UWW falls) to face NCC, I can't get myself to buy into their style of offense beating an elite team, especially one that controls the ball. Blaha is a stud for sure, but it only gets more physical deeper into the playoffs.
Maybe 2023 Cortland is similar to 2025 UWRF with a QB that would not quit. They made it happen vs NCC.

[hazzben]

One forgotten piece about Cortland upsetting NCC was the reality NCC had zero confidence kicking a FG in the Stagg. They had an elite team with one glaring weakness. Multiple 4th downs in FG range where they had no choice but to go for the 1st rather than the points. That's not this year's version of NCC.

[USee]

One forgotten piece about Cortland upsetting NCC was the reality NCC had zero confidence kicking a FG in the Stagg. They had an elite team with one glaring weakness. Multiple 4th downs in FG range where they had no choice but to go for the 1st rather than the points. That's not this year's version of NCC.

Facts! one of their best players is their FG kicker. Made a couple from 50+ already.

[emma17]

One forgotten piece about Cortland upsetting NCC was the reality NCC had zero confidence kicking a FG in the Stagg. They had an elite team with one glaring weakness. Multiple 4th downs in FG range where they had no choice but to go for the 1st rather than the points. That's not this year's version of NCC.

If I remember correctly, NCC had some key injuries as well. But to Cortland's credit, they put up 38 based on the grit and ability of the QB and some skilled receivers. Not much of a run game as I recall.
Maybe UWRF gets the same lightening in a bottle.

[Pat Coleman]

One forgotten piece about Cortland upsetting NCC was the reality NCC had zero confidence kicking a FG in the Stagg. They had an elite team with one glaring weakness. Multiple 4th downs in FG range where they had no choice but to go for the 1st rather than the points. That's not this year's version of NCC.

If I remember correctly, NCC had some key injuries as well. But to Cortland's credit, they put up 38 based on the grit and ability of the QB and some skilled receivers. Not much of a run game as I recall.
Maybe UWRF gets the same lightening in a bottle.

QB Zac Boyes had 16 carries for 123 yards.

[FishHack76]

Just to see where teams in  my area might fit into the bracket. I did the potential brackets for the four "Western" top seeds. Of course, with this, there are a great number of possibilities and any little change can start a domino effect.
I tried to make sure the teams in the Top 24 in the NPI got a first-round bye and looked at this geographically -- except for the island game of Chapman-Whitworth, whose winner also could get sent to NCC again (because of O'Hare Airport). However, there are three Indiana schools all near Indianapolis and two Michigan schools that are in the west or central parts of the state. Any or all five of those teams could go east but I sent them toward Wartburg or NCC. All those schools are too far of a drive from Bethel or UW-River Falls.


Hanover at Alma
winner goes to NCC

UW-Whitewater at Hope

---------------------

DePauw at Wheaton
winner goes to Wartburg

Wabash at Monmouth

----------------------
Chapman at Whitworth
winner goes to Bethel (Minneapolis-St. Paul airport)

Central at UW-Platteville (or UW-LaCrosse)

---------------------
Crown at Concordia (WI)
winner goes to UW-River Falls

St. John's at UW-LaCrosse (or UW-Platteville)

[emma17]

One forgotten piece about Cortland upsetting NCC was the reality NCC had zero confidence kicking a FG in the Stagg. They had an elite team with one glaring weakness. Multiple 4th downs in FG range where they had no choice but to go for the 1st rather than the points. That's not this year's version of NCC.

If I remember correctly, NCC had some key injuries as well. But to Cortland's credit, they put up 38 based on the grit and ability of the QB and some skilled receivers. Not much of a run game as I recall.
Maybe UWRF gets the same lightening in a bottle.

QB Zac Boyes had 16 carries for 123 yards.

I'm aware of how well Boyes did running the ball- and throwing. But he's the QB- the guy I'm comparing Blaha to. A running game to me is the ball being carried by running backs. I don't think Cortland had much of a running game vs. NCC, which I'm guessing would be the case if UWRF played them. As w Cortland, yardage on the ground would have to come from the QB making plays.
Imo, a team is playing w fire if it needs to rely on the QB to be the primary running threat in terms of number of carries.

[bleedpurple]

One forgotten piece about Cortland upsetting NCC was the reality NCC had zero confidence kicking a FG in the Stagg. They had an elite team with one glaring weakness. Multiple 4th downs in FG range where they had no choice but to go for the 1st rather than the points. That's not this year's version of NCC.

If I remember correctly, NCC had some key injuries as well. But to Cortland's credit, they put up 38 based on the grit and ability of the QB and some skilled receivers. Not much of a run game as I recall.
Maybe UWRF gets the same lightening in a bottle.

QB Zac Boyes had 16 carries for 123 yards.

I'm aware of how well Boyes did running the ball- and throwing. But he's the QB- the guy I'm comparing Blaha to. A running game to me is the ball being carried by running backs. I don't think Cortland had much of a running game vs. NCC, which I'm guessing would be the case if UWRF played them. As w Cortland, yardage on the ground would have to come from the QB making plays.
Imo, a team is playing w fire if it needs to rely on the QB to be the primary running threat in terms of number of carries.

This is old school thinking (full disclosure, I agree with you. But the way the game is changing, it feels like we may be quickly becoming dinosaurs).

[emma17]

One forgotten piece about Cortland upsetting NCC was the reality NCC had zero confidence kicking a FG in the Stagg. They had an elite team with one glaring weakness. Multiple 4th downs in FG range where they had no choice but to go for the 1st rather than the points. That's not this year's version of NCC.

If I remember correctly, NCC had some key injuries as well. But to Cortland's credit, they put up 38 based on the grit and ability of the QB and some skilled receivers. Not much of a run game as I recall.
Maybe UWRF gets the same lightening in a bottle.

QB Zac Boyes had 16 carries for 123 yards.

I'm aware of how well Boyes did running the ball- and throwing. But he's the QB- the guy I'm comparing Blaha to. A running game to me is the ball being carried by running backs. I don't think Cortland had much of a running game vs. NCC, which I'm guessing would be the case if UWRF played them. As w Cortland, yardage on the ground would have to come from the QB making plays.
Imo, a team is playing w fire if it needs to rely on the QB to be the primary running threat in terms of number of carries.

This is old school thinking (full disclosure, I agree with you. But the way the game is changing, it feels like we may be quickly becoming dinosaurs).

"Quickly becoming"- I'm so old school dinosaurs study me.

[NCC2010]

One forgotten piece about Cortland upsetting NCC was the reality NCC had zero confidence kicking a FG in the Stagg. They had an elite team with one glaring weakness. Multiple 4th downs in FG range where they had no choice but to go for the 1st rather than the points. That's not this year's version of NCC.

If I remember correctly, NCC had some key injuries as well. But to Cortland's credit, they put up 38 based on the grit and ability of the QB and some skilled receivers. Not much of a run game as I recall.
Maybe UWRF gets the same lightening in a bottle.

That 2023 defense NCC trotted out for the Stagg was simply too beat up.  Their 3 best players were all either out (1st team AA CB Antwain Walker, 1st team AA DT Dan Lester didn't play) or hurt and playing through it (CCIW DPOY Martin Egbo was a shell of himself).  UWL and Helterbrand put up 42 points on them 2 weeks prior. All credit to Cortland though they played awesome and I thought they outcoached NCC as well.  The kicking issues were a huge factor too. 

Blaha and Maloney from Mount Union are the 2 best QBs I have seen this season and would love to see how either matches up against this 2025 defense, which many alums/fans believe is NCC's best defense in program history. 

Selfishly hoping we only see 1 of those QBs and preferably in the Stagg.  What I can't figure out is how UWRF lost to that Oshkosh team.  I get its tough to win on the road in the WIAC but only scoring 17 points against them is probably the most puzzling result of the season.

[emma17]

NCC2010- I'm selfishly hoping NCC will face both great QB's. I get to relax and enjoy while you chew your nails, throw things at the tv, one moment cuss Spencer and the next hail him as the greatest ever.
Should be a lot of fun when it's all over.

[fredfalcon]

What kind of qb is Maloney? Dual threat or stronger runner than passer? Or vice versa?

[BDB]

Fred, I'll be looking for you today. Stoutguy and I will be first row blue seats 50 yard line.
Stop by and say hi so I can check out the status of the handlebar these days. 

[cubs]

The four potential WIAC playoff teams taking care of business through one half of football as they all take at least a two TD lead into halftime.

[NCC2010]

NCC2010- I'm selfishly hoping NCC will face both great QB's. I get to relax and enjoy while you chew your nails, throw things at the tv, one moment cuss Spencer and the next hail him as the greatest ever.
Should be a lot of fun when it's all over.

Much to my dismay NCC is now slotted to face both River Falls and Mount Union, both BEFORE reaching the Stagg. Stressful 6 weeks ahead for me lol