WIAC PROJECTIONS

UW-Eau Claire at UW-Stout
The Blugolds are likely licking their chops at prospect of facing a Blue Devils team that gave up 370 yards rushing and 56 points last week.    Eau Claire has shown a balanced offense and minimized mistakes the last two weeks.  UW-S has averaged less than 17 points a game and will have a hard time keeping up.  But Stout has considered themselves an upper echelon WIAC team since 2009 and fought hard to get there.  Embarrassed, prideful teams can be very dangerous.  This one may surprise most.

UW-Stout 30
UW-Eau Claire  27


UW-RiverFalls at UW-Oshkosh
The Titans exploded for TD runs of 46, 52, and 61 yards on their way to a 56-10 romp over UW-Stout last week.  UW-RF is 0-3 having given up at least 38 points in each game.  UW-O just has too much firepower for the Falcons.

UW-Oshkosh 45
UW-River Falls 20


UW-Stevens Point at UW-LaCrosse
Both of these teams have played pretty good defense for the most part this year, but have struggled mightily offensively.  UW-SP averages only 8.3 points per game.  The Pointers average only 2.7 yards per carry on the ground, yet have allowed QB Casey Barnes to attempt only 38 passes in 3 games.  Point has not scored a point in either the first or fourth quarter.  The Eagles have gained only 2.3 yards per rush and have given up 12 QB sacks in averaging only 13.7 points per game.  The difference is UW-SP has won 2 of three games while the Eagles have gotten off to an 0-3 start.  The Eagles return home for the first time since September 3rd determined to get the first win of the Joel Dettwiler era.  Point has a superior ability to pressure the QB and defend the pass. UW-L can be thrown against, but Coach Meich is determined to bring Barnes and his inexperienced receiving corps along slowly.  He will likely open up the offense just enough.

UW-Stevens Point 16
UW-LaCrosse 13


UW-Platteville at UW-Whitewater
The Pioneers have been impressive defensively, allowing only 10.8 points per game.  However, it is looking like 3 of their 4 opponents have highly suspect offenses.  QB Nick Anderson appears to be out.  5'10", sophomore Bryce Corrigan is the likely replacement.  The Pioneers need a big game out of RB Lee Vlasic and Corrigan must be effective enough to create balance for the Pioneers to stay close to the high powered Warhawks.  The UW-P defense should come in confident, but as many teams have found out, UW-W is a different animal.  One of the Warhawks' strengths is their ability to maintain their daily focus on getting better.  Coming off a bye, timing could be an issue for UW-W early in the game.  On the other hand, they will be really anxious to compete after not having a game last week.  Already 1-0 in the WIAC, a Platteville  upset of the defending National Champions would rank among the biggest wins in the long, storied history of the school.  And the Pioneers know it.  Remember, there is always that "any given Saturday".   But then there are all the rest of them....

UW-Whitewater 48
UW-Platteville 7