FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

USee · December 10, 2025, 02:37:51 PM

Bled-Check your DM's.....

emma17 · December 11, 2025, 03:03:01 PM

It might be the 02 Warhawk (worry wart) coming out in me, the Wheaton matchup is a big concern. UWRF has great skill players and they're pretty good in the trenches.
However, Wheaton has the most proficient run/pass capabilities UWRF will see to date I believe. Wheaton has had no problem running on the teams that were supposed to be run stoppers- and they stop the run. Likely Blaha will be called on to do even more (not sure how much more the guy can do). If Blaha gets neutralized at all, trouble in River City.

USee · December 11, 2025, 03:39:36 PM

I wouldn't be so quick to say Wheaton is a run stopper. They certainly were against DePauw. They ran for 190 yds and held them to 59. But NCC ran for 279 and held Wheaton to -2 rushing. WashU ran for 150 and Wheaton had 102 and Wartburg ran for 180 while Wheaton had 112.

Wheaton's defense can be disruptive but they can be had as well. They have certainly gotten better at the end of the year and in these playoffs. I think Blaha will do his thing and the key will more likely rest on Wheaton's ability to keep pace and steal a few possessions.

WIACer · December 11, 2025, 04:15:38 PM

Quote from: emma17 on December 11, 2025, 03:03:01 PMIt might be the 02 Warhawk (worry wart) coming out in me, the Wheaton matchup is a big concern. UWRF has great skill players and they're pretty good in the trenches.
However, Wheaton has the most proficient run/pass capabilities UWRF will see to date I believe. Wheaton has had no problem running on the teams that were supposed to be run stoppers- and they stop the run. Likely Blaha will be called on to do even more (not sure how much more the guy can do). If Blaha gets neutralized at all, trouble in River City.

UMMMM. ok. UW Whitewater, UW Platteville, UW LaX. I'm sure they have seen better. Positive they have.

emma17 · December 11, 2025, 05:12:19 PM

Quote from: WIACer on December 11, 2025, 04:15:38 PM
Quote from: emma17 on December 11, 2025, 03:03:01 PMIt might be the 02 Warhawk (worry wart) coming out in me, the Wheaton matchup is a big concern. UWRF has great skill players and they're pretty good in the trenches.
However, Wheaton has the most proficient run/pass capabilities UWRF will see to date I believe. Wheaton has had no problem running on the teams that were supposed to be run stoppers- and they stop the run. Likely Blaha will be called on to do even more (not sure how much more the guy can do). If Blaha gets neutralized at all, trouble in River City.

UMMMM. ok. UW Whitewater, UW Platteville, UW LaX. I'm sure they have seen better. Positive they have.

This will be an interesting position to keep an eye on. IMO none of the WIAC teams mentioned were as capable offensively as Wheaton, especially UWW.

emma17 · December 11, 2025, 05:15:48 PM

On another subject, have anyone seen Johns Hopkins play? I watched their last game vs. Salisbury and they were impressive. Excellent QB and receivers. A defense that flies to the ball.

USee · December 11, 2025, 05:16:53 PM

Just so the data is here (FWIW):

National Rankings:

Wheaton:
Total Offense: #24 (rush #97, Pass #18)
Scoring Offense: #5 (Tied)
Total Defense: #57 (rush #49, Pass #122)
Scoring Defense: #51

UWW:
Total Offense: #88 (rush #43, Pass #158)
Scoring Offense: #65
Total Defense: #28 (rush #23, Pass #92)
Scoring Defense: #25

UWP:
Total Offense: #42 (rush #83, Pass #47)
Scoring Offense: #53
Total Defense: #121 (rush #61, Pass #185)
Scoring Defense: #53

UWLAX:
Total Offense: #71 (Rush #126, Pass #58)
Scoring Offense: #90
Total Defense: #74 (Rush #88, Pass #91)
Scoring Defense: #62

River Falls:
Total Offense: #1 (Rush #18, Pass 35)
Scoring Offense: #5
Total Defense: #77 (rush #20, Pass #189)

WRMUalum13 · December 11, 2025, 06:16:46 PM

Quote from: emma17 on December 11, 2025, 03:03:01 PMIt might be the 02 Warhawk (worry wart) coming out in me, the Wheaton matchup is a big concern. UWRF has great skill players and they're pretty good in the trenches.
However, Wheaton has the most proficient run/pass capabilities UWRF will see to date I believe. Wheaton has had no problem running on the teams that were supposed to be run stoppers- and they stop the run. Likely Blaha will be called on to do even more (not sure how much more the guy can do). If Blaha gets neutralized at all, trouble in River City.

I'm not sure a data point from 16 or so weeks ago matters much, but watching the Wheaton UMU game in person I wasn't super impressed with Wheaton in terms of eye test. They got the doors blown off until Mount started to take out starters in the 4th quarter when they were already up 37-14.

Of course Mount Union may have regressed since then or Wheaton could have improved, but as a neutral observer I think UW-R wins by like 2-3 TDs

badgerwarhawk · December 11, 2025, 07:24:03 PM

River Falls in a MIAC monkey stomp.

fredfalcon · December 11, 2025, 07:58:01 PM

I wonder whether the UWRF AD or Coach Walker have had any calls from parents concerned about frostbite Saturday.

USee · December 11, 2025, 09:22:08 PM

Quote from: WRMUalum13 on December 11, 2025, 06:16:46 PM
Quote from: emma17 on December 11, 2025, 03:03:01 PMIt might be the 02 Warhawk (worry wart) coming out in me, the Wheaton matchup is a big concern. UWRF has great skill players and they're pretty good in the trenches.
However, Wheaton has the most proficient run/pass capabilities UWRF will see to date I believe. Wheaton has had no problem running on the teams that were supposed to be run stoppers- and they stop the run. Likely Blaha will be called on to do even more (not sure how much more the guy can do). If Blaha gets neutralized at all, trouble in River City.

I'm not sure a data point from 16 or so weeks ago matters much, but watching the Wheaton UMU game in person I wasn't super impressed with Wheaton in terms of eye test. They got the doors blown off until Mount started to take out starters in the 4th quarter when they were already up 37-14.

Of course Mount Union may have regressed since then or Wheaton could have improved, but as a neutral observer I think UW-R wins by like 2-3 TDs

The legend of UMU v Wheaton grows with each retelling. The facts are UMU pulled their QB and WRs for two series in the 4th quarter. OL stayed the same and the first team defense never subbed out. Wheaton made it a 1 score game

bleedpurple · **Yesterday** at 07:57:07 AM

I have no idea how much the bitter conditions will affect the midwest games, but to me (irrespective of Hansen Ratings type data), there is about a 20% chance NCC will be eliminated in the playoffs before Wheaton. I do think River Falls will win, but that's probably because I saw them play in person and have not seen Wheaton. They are big and fast, but more than that their execution was brilliant when I saw them. I'm probably the only one, but I truly think Bethel/NCC is a toss up.

WRMUalum13 · **Yesterday** at 09:22:37 AM

Quote from: USee on December 11, 2025, 09:22:08 PM
Quote from: WRMUalum13 on December 11, 2025, 06:16:46 PM
Quote from: emma17 on December 11, 2025, 03:03:01 PMIt might be the 02 Warhawk (worry wart) coming out in me, the Wheaton matchup is a big concern. UWRF has great skill players and they're pretty good in the trenches.
However, Wheaton has the most proficient run/pass capabilities UWRF will see to date I believe. Wheaton has had no problem running on the teams that were supposed to be run stoppers- and they stop the run. Likely Blaha will be called on to do even more (not sure how much more the guy can do). If Blaha gets neutralized at all, trouble in River City.

I'm not sure a data point from 16 or so weeks ago matters much, but watching the Wheaton UMU game in person I wasn't super impressed with Wheaton in terms of eye test. They got the doors blown off until Mount started to take out starters in the 4th quarter when they were already up 37-14.

Of course Mount Union may have regressed since then or Wheaton could have improved, but as a neutral observer I think UW-R wins by like 2-3 TDs

The legend of UMU v Wheaton grows with each retelling. The facts are UMU pulled their QB and WRs for two series in the 4th quarter. OL stayed the same and the first team defense never subbed out. Wheaton made it a 1 score game

That's what I said, "Mount Union started to pull their starters" I didn't say they put everyone on the bench for the rest of the game!

Mister36 · **Yesterday** at 09:38:36 AM

Quote from: BDB on Yesterday at 07:55:53 AM
Quote from: fredfalcon on December 11, 2025, 07:58:01 PMI wonder whether the UWRF AD or Coach Walker have had any calls from parents concerned about frostbite Saturday.

This game should be moved to US Bank stadium is it's available.

I think it's available, there isn't a pro team playing there this season as far as I can tell.

Quote from: bleedpurple on Yesterday at 07:57:07 AMI'm probably the only one, but I truly think Bethel/NCC is a toss up.

As long as Bethel doesn't shoot themselves in the foot, I think they are on par. I'm hoping to see NCC's OL pushed around by a DLine that they haven't seen the caliber of this year yet.

USee · **Yesterday** at 11:31:47 AM

Quote from: bleedpurple on Yesterday at 07:57:07 AMI have no idea how much the bitter conditions will affect the midwest games, but to me (irrespective of Hansen Ratings type data), there is about a 20% chance NCC will be eliminated in the playoffs before Wheaton. I do think River Falls will win, but that's probably because I saw them play in person and have not seen Wheaton. They are big and fast, but more than that their execution was brilliant when I saw them. I'm probably the only one, but I truly think Bethel/NCC is a toss up.

That's the thing w football right? You see a team and they play well and that shapes your view. The problem w football is we have such a limited data set its hard to predict. Heck there are certain Mt Union posters who thought Grove City was better than Wheaton. To be fair, they never played so who knows. People who watched Wheaton win at Wartburg are thinking, Wow they are good. Those who watched them lost to UMU think they aren't any good. UWW had a very impressive win v UMHB and then DePauw beat them in Janesville.....etc, etc. Wheaton beat NCC in 2019 and was a top seed. NCC made it as one of the last teams in the field as a pool C. Wheaton loses on a penalty at home at the end vs St Johns and NCC wins the Stagg with a single loss to Wheaton. Going into the playoffs, Wheaton was very much one of the favorites for the Stagg. NCC was an afterthought.

There are few things that travel well. We all know Blaha is elite as he is consistent across multiple seasons. We all know the LOS wins games. UWRF has 1 player (Blaha) who can take over a game. They a bunch of other great players as well but I don't think they have others at the level of Blaha in terms of difference makers.

NCC had Lehnen and an elite offensive line the last 4 years. Those players were a cut above even other team's great players. NCC doesn't have that on offense this year. They are great, but they don't have a Lehnen type or an OL with guys like Maples and Pryor (Cortez is close). They have an elite WR in Skokna. On Defense they have a guy who is a superior player in JP Sullivan. the kid is virtually unblockable (remember Kleppe?). They also have 2-3 other AA types on defense. I feel pretty confident that Bethel is gonna struggle with JP Sullivan. Everybody does. Bethel seems to have 2 difference makers among many great players on defense. Conant and Williams make plays against everybody (Conant was hurt last week).

I would be shocked if Bethel wins in a shootout because I don't think they can score 28+ pts on NCC. I do think they can hold NCC to a low output on offense and can win a lower scoring game. If NCC puts up 30+ it's over in my opinion. But I have been really wrong before so who knows........these games are when the next Lehnen's are born (Zac Boyes anyone?). For Wheaton I'm hoping Mark Forcucci is the next Boyes. That's the beauty of these playoffs.

I think Bethel has as good a chance as anyone in the field to beat NCC.