WIAC PROJECTIONS WEEK 3

Wheaton College at UW-Platteville
The Thunder will be running into a 2-0 Pioneer team brimming with confidence after their surprisingly easy 26-3 victory over UW-Stevens Point.  The Pioneers have not given up a TD in either of their first two games.  Last year, UW-P was playing right with Wheaton when the wheels came off and they were stampeded 51-20.  This one has the feel of a much closer game and if the Thunder doesn't improve from last week's performance against Albion, they will find themselves on the short end.  Wheaton's talented defensive ends could provide the difference against the relatively inexperienced Pioneer offensive tackles.

Wheaton College 27
UW-Platteville  21


UW-River Falls at Trine
A year ago Trine beat Manchester and Bluffton by a combined 117 points and averaged 7.0 yards per carry, gaining 661 yards in 94 carries before taking on the Falcons.  Against those same opponents this year, the Thunder  won by a combined margin of 25 points and gained 203 yards rushing in 87 attempts for 2.3 yards per carry. In last year's contest, the Thunder rolled for 338 yards rushing in pulling away from a halftime tie to a 35-14 victory.  In the first half last week, UW-RF held St. Thomas to 57 yards rushing in the first half before wearing down in the second half.  Could this be two teams headed in opposite directions?

UW-River Falls 23
Trine 20


Campbellsville University at UW-Whitewater
Campbellsville comes in 2-0, riding big defensive plays to wins over two ranked NAIA teams.  In the Tigers' 30-14 win over Union College, four interceptions and a forced fumble propelled the victory. Last week, the Tigers blocked three kicks and returned a two point conversion attempt turnover for a score late, edging #18 Cumberland University 30-27.  The Tigers have great teams speed, which tends to force mistakes against lesser teams.  However, UW-W prides itself in mistake free, fundamentally sound football.  While this will be a good test, especially for the skill position players of the Warhawks, it is not likely Campbellsville will be able to hold up in the interior lines over four quarters.  If the Tigers' play mistake free, it's possible they could keep it reasonably close, at least for awhile.

UW-Whitewater 41
Campbellsville University 13