The border battle between Minnesota and Wisconsin is as well defined as it is heated. Minnesota has the Vikings, Wisconsin has the Packers. Minnesota’s culinary delights are varied—fresh walleye, lefse, hotdish, SPAM—while Wisconsin counters with what it knows best, beer and cheese. Minnesota has attractive, personable, intelligent young women while Wisconsin has… beer and cheese.
It’s for the sake of Johnnie Football that we put those differences aside this weekend. In addition to our gameday predictions from a couple of WIAC experts, we also want to share a special treat for those of you driving out to River Falls prior to the game.
From 8:00 to 10:00 AM, WMEQ-880AM will be hosting “Western Wisconsin Sports Saturday”, a show focused on local high school and UW-River Falls, Stout and Eau Claire athletics. The Johnnies’ invasion of River Falls this weekend will be the main topic of the conversation.
Host Bob Michels (BlueDevil Bob of D3Football.comPost Patterns fame) has even scheduled a couple Johnnies-related guests, including our esteemed Johnnie Red. If you are in River Falls prior to the game, be sure to check the show out on location (Bob and Steve’s Amoco, 700 N. Main St., right on the way to the stadium). If you’re stuck outside the listening range, the show can be heard online .
We wanted to give you a sneek peak at Bob’s vast football knowledge and he was kind enough to provide his thoughts on this weekend’s game. Joining him will be Tom Mabry (PP’s “janesvilleflash”, WIAC fan and father of former UW-Whitewater and UW-Oshkosh players). Enjoy!
Bob Michels: As a WIAC follower and a St. John’s fan, I wouldn’t miss being in River Falls on Saturday. In the summer of 2006 the rumors started flying around Wisconsin that the Falcons were going to scratch the wishbone offense, an offense they had run for over 30 years. The typical response by people who are WIAC fans was “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Well, I had to rub my eyes at first but I saw it in the opening game last year in Collegeville where the Johnnies dominated 41-9. The first game that the Falcons played in decades with a new offense may have aided in their lack of points last year. I look for a much closer contest this time around.
Last week the Falcons put up 54 points in their win on the road at Hope College.
Apparently they’ve adapted to the new scheme. In the off season Stan Zweifel, the former Offensive Coordinator for UW-Whitewater, was hired to do the same at UW-River Falls. While he has since departed, one of his sons, Michael, a freshman wide receiver,had 10 catches in that victory at Hope. Watch for the Storm Harmon to Michael Zweifel combination again this week against the Johnnies.
While I believe this game may well be tied at half and be close until the end, the overall speed and quickness of the St. John’s squad has the end result the same as in 2006. St. John’s 28, UW-River Falls 21.
Tom Mabry: UW-River Falls is a big question mark this year. They had perhaps their best-ever recruiting year, which should help, especially as the season goes on and they get some experience.
Look for a balanced attack for a change instead of the run-every-down style of the past, which should make for a more enjoyable game. I predict that even though UWRF should be better this year, the depth and overall strength of the Johnnies will prevail in a 41-14 game.
Good luck to both teams. I will be there to drink beer and cheer for everyone! St. John’s 41, UW-River Falls 14.
