2013 Season Begins Today: My Humble Opinion

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The sting of a disappointing 2012 season behind them, the UW-Whitewater Warhawks will be looking to start a new chapter beginning with the 2013 opener against Washington University today at Perkins Stadium. 

At this time last year, UW-W was a three-time national champion, riding a 45 game winning streak. With success of that magnitude, it is virtually impossible to manage expectations.  With the level of success the Warhawk football has attained, last year’s 7-3 record was not what the team had in mind. While most programs would celebrate a 7 win season, UW-W feels like it has some bouncing back to do.  How far will a 2013 bounce carry them? 

The general consensus is that the Hawks will come into 2013 with another championship caliber defense. In 2012, the Warhawks’ defense ranked #2 nationally in scoring defense and #6 in total defense while playing in the WIAC, largely considered the strongest division 3 football conference in the nation.  When a team is that strong defensively, yet loses three games, it is only natural to look to the other side of the ball for some answers.  

Over the past several seasons, UW-W has been a prototype of a fundamentally sound, philosophically conservative offensive football team. Prior to 2012, it not only was sufficient, it was probably wise.  As much as fans love and clamor for wide-open offensive football, a coaching staff is obsessed with one thing. Winning.  During the 45 game winning streak, the offensive coaches rode a mostly dominant offensive line and experienced and talented skill position players to victory. Through a power running game and an ability to wear down defenses, the Warhawks knew that they controlled their own fate. As long as they didn’t turn the ball over, they were going to win out in the end.  Although at times frustrating for fans, it proved to be a strong strategy because game after game the cream would rise to the top. The offensive line would wear down the defense and eventually, the offensive playmakers would make enough plays to win the game. 

However, 2012 was a different story.  While the Warhawks had good offensive players, they were clearly not good enough to sustain the level of success of the previous UW-W teams.  In watching the games, it did not appear that the 2012 offense had the “talent gap advantage” that previous UW-W teams held.  Less overall talent, combined with inconsistent play from the quarterback position, led to far less production. As a result, Warhawks found themselves compiling a 7-3 record and watching the playoffs from home.

Without a doubt, the Hawks will have the offensive talent to compete with every defense they play this year.  But after last season, it seems like a small shift in offensive philosophy may be in order.  One of the keys to the 2013 season for UW-W will be their offensive approach.  Will the Warhawks “open up the playbook” and look to attack the opponent with each and every possession? Too often in 2012, the Warhawks seemed to be slugging it out, waiting for the big plays that never came. 

Without a doubt, execution was a part of that.  In this year’s training camp, there has been an intentional focus on the word “Finish”.  Finish plays, finish drives, and finish games.  First and foremost, new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s job will be to get consistent execution from each offensive position group.  Without that, the most creative offense on earth will not succeed.  But there is another lesson to be learned from 2012.  Assuming that a defense will wear down or that victory will come eventually is a mistake.  Every possession is an opportunity to aggressively strike the opponent and put points on the scoreboard.  Coach Kotelnicki has a great resume in developing high scoring offenses. If he is able to do the same at UW-W this year, the sky is the limit for this football team.   How far back will UW-W bounce in 2013? We will begin finding out at noon today at the Perk.