#10 Oshkosh Titans (6-0, 3-0) #5 Whitewater Warhawks (5-1, 3-0)
Titans
Head coach Pat Cerroni on what's at stake for his team, "This is the biggest game of my life. I think this is the biggest game of all our lives." I think few would argue. Realistically, this is the last game that stands in Oshkosh's way to their first WIAC title since 1976. UWO is a week removed from eliminating Platteville from the conference (and playoff) race. Last season in Oshkosh, the Titans lead the majority of the game only to lose in the closing minutes of the game, 17-20. Now they are presented with a golden opportunity to knock the seven-time defending conference champs off their throne. If there ever was a WIAC team to knock off the Warhawks, this would be the team to do it. UWO is not only the most balanced team in the WIAC on offense, but are also the most balanced team on both sides of the ball. Everyone knows what preseason All-American Nate Wara brings to the table offensively, but 
if Oshkosh would win this game it'll be because of its defense. Pat Cerroni's team ranks behind Whitewater in just about every defensive category in the WIAC. If you're a fan of the Titans you have to like the way your defense matches up against this Warhawk offense. The Warhawks strength is its running attack, but the Titans have been stellar against the run, giving up only 2.6 yards per carry and less than 93 yards per game. That's good enough for second in the WIAC this season. Where coach Cerroni really has an advantage is their pass defense against the Warhawk passing attack. The Titans are the WIAC's top ranked team against the pass this season. They've given up a stingy 153.7 yards per game, which sizes up extremely well to Whitewater's second-to-last ranked passing team in conference. The Warhawks are averaging just under 155 yards per game throwing the ball. One reason Cerroni's defense has been so successful against the pass is their ability to rush the passer. The Titans have three linemen that rank in the WIAC's top 10 leaders for sacks: Andrew Thompson (3.5), Cody Huemmer (3.0) and Alex Smith (2.5). As a team the Titans are tops in the conference in getting after the quarterback with 18 total sacks. This should be a great matchup to watch, considering Whitewater has only been sacked four times this season.
if Oshkosh would win this game it'll be because of its defense. Pat Cerroni's team ranks behind Whitewater in just about every defensive category in the WIAC. If you're a fan of the Titans you have to like the way your defense matches up against this Warhawk offense. The Warhawks strength is its running attack, but the Titans have been stellar against the run, giving up only 2.6 yards per carry and less than 93 yards per game. That's good enough for second in the WIAC this season. Where coach Cerroni really has an advantage is their pass defense against the Warhawk passing attack. The Titans are the WIAC's top ranked team against the pass this season. They've given up a stingy 153.7 yards per game, which sizes up extremely well to Whitewater's second-to-last ranked passing team in conference. The Warhawks are averaging just under 155 yards per game throwing the ball. One reason Cerroni's defense has been so successful against the pass is their ability to rush the passer. The Titans have three linemen that rank in the WIAC's top 10 leaders for sacks: Andrew Thompson (3.5), Cody Huemmer (3.0) and Alex Smith (2.5). As a team the Titans are tops in the conference in getting after the quarterback with 18 total sacks. This should be a great matchup to watch, considering Whitewater has only been sacked four times this season.Warhawks
If Whitewater wants to win its 33 conference title, to match La Crosse for most in WIAC history, they will have to beat a team that has been outplaying them this year. Even though the Warhawks are ranked higher, the Titans have very few holes (if any) in their game right now. Where as the Hawks have a handful of holes that their fans have been concerned about. What Lance Leipold has going for his team is that he has one of the nation's top defenses. Yes, they have already seen (and beaten) a prolific offense in Platteville a few weeks ago. But they have yet to face an offensive attack that is as balanced as Cerroni's Titans. If you enjoy a very physical, strong defense going up against a potent balanced offense, look no further than Whitewater's homecoming at Perkins Stadium, Saturday. It'll be tough to find a more athletic quarterback in UWO's Wara, not only in the conference, but in all DIII. Even with
him taking snaps opposite of UWW's defense, it won't be easy for him to get the best of the Warhawks. Like I mentioned in my Midseason report, The Hawks' rank among the nation's best defensively: 1st in rushing (29.17yards/game), 3rd in scoring (7.83 points/game), and 3rd in total defense (211.5 ypg). If Whitewater wants to win this game they must do what they do best and force turnovers. Leipold's defense is second in the country with 27 takeaways. Although, the Titans haven't been exactly gift wrapping the ball to defenses, considering they've only done it ONCE this year. Yes, that's correct, the Titans have one interception and zero fumbles on the year, which is just mind blowing! The only program in the country that's close to Oshkosh in turnovers lost is Elmhurst with three. One area of concern for Whitewater's defense, that no one seems to be talking about, has been their inability to get after the quarterback this year. It's rare to look at the conference leaders in sacks and see no one from UWW on it. In fact, they are fifth in the WIAC with 11 sacks on the year. Preseason All American Loussaint Minett (defensive end) must step up this game to contain Wara. Minett has two sacks on the year. Given that UWW's offense has struggled at times, their defense might have to shorten the field for the offense by forcing turnovers. If the Warhawks are consistently forced move the chains and drive the length of the field to score points, that'll play right into the hands of the Titans. Whitewater has only managed 97 first downs this season, third worst among WIAC teams.
him taking snaps opposite of UWW's defense, it won't be easy for him to get the best of the Warhawks. Like I mentioned in my Midseason report, The Hawks' rank among the nation's best defensively: 1st in rushing (29.17yards/game), 3rd in scoring (7.83 points/game), and 3rd in total defense (211.5 ypg). If Whitewater wants to win this game they must do what they do best and force turnovers. Leipold's defense is second in the country with 27 takeaways. Although, the Titans haven't been exactly gift wrapping the ball to defenses, considering they've only done it ONCE this year. Yes, that's correct, the Titans have one interception and zero fumbles on the year, which is just mind blowing! The only program in the country that's close to Oshkosh in turnovers lost is Elmhurst with three. One area of concern for Whitewater's defense, that no one seems to be talking about, has been their inability to get after the quarterback this year. It's rare to look at the conference leaders in sacks and see no one from UWW on it. In fact, they are fifth in the WIAC with 11 sacks on the year. Preseason All American Loussaint Minett (defensive end) must step up this game to contain Wara. Minett has two sacks on the year. Given that UWW's offense has struggled at times, their defense might have to shorten the field for the offense by forcing turnovers. If the Warhawks are consistently forced move the chains and drive the length of the field to score points, that'll play right into the hands of the Titans. Whitewater has only managed 97 first downs this season, third worst among WIAC teams.After dropping its first three games, the Blugolds have won two of their last three. Including an impressive win against La Crosse where running back Joel Sweeney was named WIAC Offensive Athlete of the Week. The junior complied 185 yards rushing (112 in the first half) and three touchdowns. The Pointers will be playing only their second home game of the season Saturday, and will be looking for their first conference win. Stevens Point should take full advantage of the Eau Claire's passive defense that's last in the WIAC. Meanwhile, UWSP has the conference's third best total offense, averaging over 361 yards per game.
Stout Blue Devils (3-3, 1-2) @ La Crosse Eagles (2-4, 1-2)
This matchup is my bet to be the lowest scoring WIAC game on Saturday. Stout and La Crosse feature two of the three lowest scoring offenses in the conference. The mere fact the Eagles haven't been able to muster up any type of offense has me leaning towards Stout to steal this game. Plus, the fact Stout owns the third best defense in the conference solidifies my thoughts on this game. Like Stevens Point, this will only be La Crosse's second home game of the season.
River Falls Falcons (1-5, 1-2) @ Platteville Pioneers (4-2, 1-2)
Coming off a tough loss at Oshkosh last week, I don't see a scenario where the Pioneers will lose its homecoming this weekend. River Falls had a very impressive win at Steven Point where two team members earned WIAC Athletes of the Week (Alex Adams - safety, and Robbie Flom - kick returner). I'm now on board thinking the Falcons will win multiple conference games for the first time since 2008 this year. However, that second win won't be coming Saturday in Platteville. UWP has too much fire power for this improving UWRF defense.
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