WIAC Matchups

Hands down, the Game of the Week is Eau Claire (1-0, 3-1) hosting Oshkosh (1-0, 3-1) in its homecoming game this Saturday afternoon. Both teams have put themselves in great position to emerge as the #2 team in the WIAC, and quite possibly make a run at Whitewater. Not to look too far ahead but each program will have a solid chance as both will host Whitewater later this season. Also, each are looking to avoid that dreaded second loss before playing the Warhawks. With that being said, I don't think it's too early to assume that at least a Pool C playoff bid will be on the line at Eau Claire this weekend.

Oshkosh Titans
Entering Saturday, the Titans have looked very impressive and have put up some profound offensive numbers through its first four games. The Titans are second in the WIAC in scoring (36.5 ppg), passing offense (239.5 ypg), and rushing offense (195.2 ypg). UWO knocked off a strong program in Central to start the season, as well as conference foes Stout and River Falls. Their only loss came at the hands of perennial power Mount Union, in Alliance (OH). There's no hiding that quarterback Nate Wara is the cornerstone of the Titans' offense. This season the junior QB has been averaging over 200 yards passing per game (3rd in the WIAC), as well as 85 rushing ypg (1st on team, 3rd in WIAC). Having not seen Wara first hand this year, it appears coach Pat Cerroni is doing a great job keeping defenses off balance with the pass/run threat that Wara brings to the table. Besides having the second best pass defense efficiency in the WIAC, nothing really sticks out statistically for the Titans' defense. Then again, you can probably attribute that to playing Mount Union. However, defensive back Jack Breese is second in the conference in tackles (9.8 pg), and defensive end Andrew Thompson leads the WIAC in sacks with three. For a team with a 3-1 record, it's shocking the Oskosh has the worst turnover margin (-1) among WIAC teams. One X-factor to keep an eye on, that may play a roll in the outcome is field position. Oshkosh is dead last in net punting with 27 ypg. This could give an already pottent offensive Bluegold team a short field to play with. A win Saturday for UWO will firmly place them as a top-tier team in the WIAC this season.

 Eau Claire Blugolds

Much like Oshkosh, Eau Claire's team centers around its QB, Austin Neu. Neu leads the WIAC in passing with 263.2 ypg while completing 70% of his passes. The Blugolds had a signature win at St. John's, 47-19, on their second game of the season. At the time that game seemed like a huge win because St. John's loses in Collegeville as about as often as UW-Superoir wins football games lately. Unfortunately, as the season progressed, the Johnnies' losses started piling up, making that Eau Claire win seem not as prominent as it once was. UWEC also as has wins against Stout and River Falls this season. The only loss the Bluegolds suffered was on the road to the scholarship-offering Bethel University (TN) of the NAIA, 21-26. Despite attempting the third fewest passes in the WIAC, the Blugolds leads the conference in passing with 263 ypg (averaging over 10 yards per completion). Adding to what I mentioned above, about Oshkosh's efficient passing defense (96.3), the Blugolds offense, interestingly enough, leads the conference in passing efficiency (183.7). I'm extremely intrigued on how this very effective pass offense of Eau Claire will do against the unforgiving pass defense of Oshkosh....something has to give. On the ground Eau Claire's leader rusher is Joel Sweeney, averaging over 60 ypg. The sophomore from Tomah, WI is a load at 6'1" 245lbs. One other thing worth mentioning about UWEC's offense is that it leads the WIAC in 3rd-down conversions at 46.8%. Eau Claire will attempt to adhere to this trend, keeping drives alive and limit Wara's time on the field by controlling the clock. Defensively, Eau Claire gives up the third most rushing yards in the WIAC, which may be a problem as they face the second best rushing team in the conference. Kyle Thorpe (DB) leads the team in tackles with 7.5 per game. Homecoming just may be the intangible that Eau Claire needs to knock off a very good Oshkosh team. They certainly have the offensive fire power to keep pace, but their defense must slow down Wara to stay undefeated against DIII teams.

Other games around the WIAC:

Stout Blue Devils (0-1, 2-2) @ Stevens Point Pointers (0-1, 2-2)
Wtht these two programs starting out 2-2, I think it's safe to assume both coaches had loftier expectations on how their first four games would go. Being at .500, and 0-1 in conference play, probably isn't where the coaching had envisioned their team to start the year. In past seasons Stevens Point has consistently put up some lofty scores, as they've finished second in scoring in the WIAC two of the past three seasons. This season their offense is sputtering to say the least, as they rank at the bottom of the conference in most offensive categories. However, the Pointers took a step forward last week by putting up 28 points against La Crosse in a losing effort. Which is a good sign considering they've scored a meager 25 points in its first three games.......combined. Same thing can be said about Stout's defense. Over the years the Blue Devils' defense has been extremely stingy, finishing the past two seasons as the second best defense in the WIAC. This season, Stout's defense has been uncharacteristically pedestrian, as they statistically have the second worst defense in all of the WIAC. In fact, they've given up 80 points total in the past two weeks alone. The last time Stout allowed at least 80 total points in a two-week span was back in 2003. An underachieving offense going up against an underachieving defense will sure make for an opportunistic game, as both teams will try to avoid an 0-2 conference start (something neither team as done since 2006).

Whitewater Warhawks (1-0, 4-0) @ River Falls Falcons (0-1, 0-4)
Well....what can be said about this game? Their records just about say it all. One of the loan bright spots for the Falcons this year has been running back Taylor Edwards, who is second in the WIAC in rushing  (119.5 ypg). Unfortunately for River Falls, Whitewater counters with the best run defense in the conference (17th best in DIII), giving up only 77.5 yards per game. As good as Edwards has been, the Warhawks' Levell Coppage has been a bit better, averaging 128 ypg and has a total of seven touchdowns through four games. WIAC's leading rusher should see plenty of running lanes as the Falcons have the worst rush defense in the conference. Giving up an access 213.8 ypg on the ground, River Falls is going to have its hands full with the three-time All-American. In the Falcons' defense, they have had a very tough schedule in the early going with three of it first four games on the road. After starting off the season losing to #3 ranked St. Thomas, they hit the road with losses against Trine, Eau Claire and Oshkosh. Only to come back home and play the #1 team in the county, the Warhawks. I applaud River Falls for scheduling such tough opponents, which is a trait that runs deep in all WIAC football programs. River Falls will have plenty of opportunities to find their first-year head coach Matt Walker's his first win.....odds are it won't come this Saturday though.

Jamestown (ND) Jimmies (2-3) @ La Crosse Eagles (1-1, 1-3)
Against Stevens Point last week, Joel Dettwiler was able to get his first win as a head coach for La Crosse. Dettwiler will attempt to make it two in a row, as they play a rare middle-of-the-schedule non-conference game against Jamestown College (from the NAIA). Leading the Eagles has been the defensive back plays of Jake Meckstroth, Brent Benson and Derek Dreher. Both Meckstroth and Benson lead the WIAC in interceptions with two this year, and Meckstroth is third in tackles with 9.5 per game. Dreher doesn't appear much on the stat sheet, mostly because opposing QB's don't attempt to throw his way. That's because he's one of the better shut-down corners in the conference, and gets assigned to cover the opposing team's premier wide out. The senior Dreher, who recovered from a torn ACL last season, leads the WIAC in passes deflected with seven. With all that being said about the Eagles' DBs, there is a bit of statistical anomaly as the Eagles give up more passing yards then any other WIAC school, believe it or not. On the offensive side, there isn't one player that stands out that can change the face of the game for the Eagles. Running back Lee Lauthers is the closest to it, averaging 73.3 ypg, which is good enough to be the third highest rusher (among running backs) in the WIAC. The Jimmies will be playing against their second WIAC team this season, as they already lost to Stout 17-20 back on 9/10. Jamestown is in no way one of the premier NAIA teams, so I would except La Crosse to win its second straight Saturday.

Side Notes
Platteville (3-2, 1-1) has to be looking forward to this MUCH needed bye week this Saturday. Coming out of the Whitewater game, I think there were close to a dozen key contributors (if not starters) out with various injuries. Even with the ailments, the Pioneers were able to hang with the best that DIII has to offer with a 14-14 halftime score, in Whitewater. With a healthy team (especially QB Nick Anderson), this team will be very dangerous.

Best of luck to all WIAC teams, and here's to everyone staying (and getting) healthy......Cheers!