FB: American Rivers Conference

[sportsknight]

Quick bit of coaching news to end the weekend...
Sounds like the report that Dan Hammes will be coaching the Wartburg RBs is accurate.  I think it will be a good fit.  Dan knows the system and the current players will respect the success he had as a player.  Plus, he won't hesitate to get after the guys if they slack off at all. 

Another rumor I can confirm is that Coach Willis will be helping out again this year, but in more of a consultant role than anything else.  He'll help break down film and put together gameplans and scouting reports, but probably won't be helping on the practice field or the sidelines.

The candidates to replace Pat Toohey are lining up.  One was in for an interview on Friday.  I won't share any details until someone is hired, but the guy in on Friday had some pretty impressive playing experience.

[Ash Park]

The first week is big for Cornell too! We need to evaluate how the O-Line and D-Line performs. They are the start of any turnaround; the game is won or lost on the line. They are the most valuable players.

We need to eliminate turnovers, stay out of 3rd long, and see big improvements in the kicking game. We need field goals inside the 25 and average 40+ punting the ball.

The O and D needs to gain experience getting control a game, if not early and least late in the game. If it's late, we gain experience playing 60 minutes. We need to learn how to play 60 minutes to win tough conference games. It will build character.

There is enough talent at Cornell to win the conference; the players, coaches, administration and fans just has to believe and prove it, one play and game at a time.

If we loss, lets loss on the last play of the game, it will build character.

We will face a tough Grinnell team that shares the same goal to turnaround a program. Do not underestimate any team!

Show Me...you're a nice kid and all, but you're gonna have to lay off the sauce.

I'd love to see Cornell contend, and I love your enthusiasm, but us winning the IIAC...!?

What the hell, who am I to dampen anyone's hopes and dreams?

Go get 'em Rams!    8)

Haha...heys I'm with ya on this one buddy.....like I have said many times and will continue to say I may have purple blinders on at times but I am also a realist. I think you have to be realistic and us going from two seasons of not winning a conference game to winning the conference is a little unrealistic. Don't get me wrong I would love to see it happen!! I think there is enough talent to win some conference games for sure.

I like your optimism though showme!!

[doolittledog]

The doolittle UD Spartan 2008 outlook.  Note that I am an old man that has no inside info like most other posters on this board!!!  And I am also probably not typing with the best frame of mind because I just wrote all this a minute ago and as I went to hit enter on my computer it crashed.  

2007: 7-3  2008: 6-4

Season outlook:  2008 for the Spartans is basically one big question mark.  Dubuque loses 6 seniors on both their offense and defense.  Numbers that are pretty typical for most college teams but the difference for Dubuque is a lot of those seniors were 3 and 4 year starters.  

Offense:  UD loses 3 seniors off their o-line to go along with a 4 year starting qb, their top 2 running backs and 1 wide receiver.  Dubuque didn't have much of a rotation on their o-line so that remains a mystery for 2008.  At QB I have been told it will be a battle between 5th year senior Byron Abram and junior Colton Hansen.  Hansen saw valuable playing time last year and was a 1st team all-state qb at Olin HS.  At wide reciever the Spartans return starters Ed McIntosh and Jean Metezier along with Brennan Rellaford, Chris Warder and Gio Portobanco.  The new OC at UD is Jeremy Fellows who had been the WR coach.  

Defense:  UD loses Derik Wulfekuhle off their line along with linebackers Floyd Pinkney and Chavis Youngblood.  In the secondary the Spartans lose corners Dondre Jenkins and Darrell Moore along with Mark Mashburn at safety.  Last year Dubuque was undersized but deep.  ISU transfer Collins Eboh saw time on the line and Dubuque utilized their Florida connections to play to get quite a few players in at the LB and secondary positions.  

Dubuque will have a good year if:  If the Spartans can find good replacements for their o-line and somebody to run the ball, they should have a qb that can get the ball to a talented and experianced corps of receivers.  If UD can hold on to the ball and eat up the clock, their undersized defense should be able to use their speed to disrupt opposing offenses.  If Dubuque can get a win against Rockford to open up their new stadium and then go out to California and get a win against a ranked Redlands that might be the momentum they need to get on a roll in the IIAC.

Dubuque will have a bad year if:  If Dubuque can't find good replacements on their o-line then it won't really matter how good their new QB and running back are because they won't have the time to do anything.  If the UD offense can't stay on the field their undersized defense will wilt late in games causing some late game losses.  If Dubuque goes out to California and loses at Redlands and then comes back the next week and has to travel up to Decorah to face a Luther team with a new coach that is still pretty much an unknown and also loses that game.  At that point with a 1-2 record it will be hard to finish another year with a winning record when they still have to travel to Central and Wartburg.  

[5 Words or Less]

IIAC 2008 week 1 simulation results (ala 2007 stats)
Courtesy D3boards.com ... post patterns ... west region football ... D3 football simulations

Win	Loss	Avg. Point Spread	Odds
BV - 29	UW-P - 14	15	BV wins 24 of 25
Central - 43	Lakeland - 7	36	Central wins 25 of 25
Coe - 29	Augustana - 14	15	Coe wins 23 of 25
Cornell - 41	Grinnell - 9	32	Cornell wins 25 of 25
Dubuque - 37	Rockford - 10	27	UD wins 25 of 25
Loras - 32	Monmouth - 19	13	Loras wins 24 of 25
St. Olaf - 26	Luther - 18	8	St. Olaf wins 19 of 25
Simpson	Grand View	N/A	N/A
Wartburg - 31	St. Norbert - 14	17	Wartburg wins 25 of 25

http://www.nationalsportsrankings.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_oneonone&magic=861

[Mr. Ypsi]

I won't comment on the rest of the games, but I would consider Augustana to be the favorite over Coe, which kinda throws the rest of the matches in to doubt.

[doolittledog]

I won't comment on the rest of the games, but I would consider Augustana to be the favorite over Coe, which kinda throws the rest of the matches in to doubt.

Well I assume your thinking is the CCIW is a stronger conference than the IIAC, therefore you think Augustana should beat Coe.  But Coe was 7-3 last year while the Auggies were 4-6.  This year the question marks are Coe is bringing in a new head coach, while Augustana is changing from the wing-t to the spread.  I won't be surprised if Coe or Auggie win this game. 

[the_mayne_event]

The doolittle UD Spartan 2008 outlook.  Note that I am an old man that has no inside info like most other posters on this board!!!  And I am also probably not typing with the best frame of mind because I just wrote all this a minute ago and as I went to hit enter on my computer it crashed.  

2007: 7-3  2008: 6-4

Season outlook:  2008 for the Spartans is basically one big question mark.  Dubuque loses 6 seniors on both their offense and defense.  Numbers that are pretty typical for most college teams but the difference for Dubuque is a lot of those seniors were 3 and 4 year starters.  

Offense:  UD loses 3 seniors off their o-line to go along with a 4 year starting qb, their top 2 running backs and 1 wide receiver.  Dubuque didn't have much of a rotation on their o-line so that remains a mystery for 2008.  At QB I have been told it will be a battle between 5th year senior Byron Abram and junior Colton Hansen.  Hansen saw valuable playing time last year and was a 1st team all-state qb at Olin HS.  At wide reciever the Spartans return starters Ed McIntosh and Jean Metezier along with Brennan Rellaford, Chris Warder and Gio Portobanco.  The new OC at UD is Jeremy Fellows who had been the WR coach.  

Defense:  UD loses Derik Wulfekuhle off their line along with linebackers Floyd Pinkney and Chavis Youngblood.  In the secondary the Spartans lose corners Dondre Jenkins and Darrell Moore along with Mark Mashburn at safety.  Last year Dubuque was undersized but deep.  ISU transfer Collins Eboh saw time on the line and Dubuque utilized their Florida connections to play to get quite a few players in at the LB and secondary positions.  

Dubuque will have a good year if:  If the Spartans can find good replacements for their o-line and somebody to run the ball, they should have a qb that can get the ball to a talented and experianced corps of receivers.  If UD can hold on to the ball and eat up the clock, their undersized defense should be able to use their speed to disrupt opposing offenses.  If Dubuque can get a win against Rockford to open up their new stadium and then go out to California and get a win against a ranked Redlands that might be the momentum they need to get on a roll in the IIAC.

Dubuque will have a bad year if:  If Dubuque can't find good replacements on their o-line then it won't really matter how good their new QB and running back are because they won't have the time to do anything.  If the UD offense can't stay on the field their undersized defense will wilt late in games causing some late game losses.  If Dubuque goes out to California and loses at Redlands and then comes back the next week and has to travel up to Decorah to face a Luther team with a new coach that is still pretty much an unknown and also loses that game.  At that point with a 1-2 record it will be hard to finish another year with a winning record when they still have to travel to Central and Wartburg.  

i didnt know that dubuque lost THAT much.  i would have think your predicted record (i know it is all just wishful thinking now anyways) would have to be a fantastic year for the Spartans.  I would think something more like 4-6 would be good for them, maybe even 3-7.  they could be having a tough year.

[the_mayne_event]

I won't comment on the rest of the games, but I would consider Augustana to be the favorite over Coe, which kinda throws the rest of the matches in to doubt.

Well I assume your thinking is the CCIW is a stronger conference than the IIAC, therefore you think Augustana should beat Coe.  But Coe was 7-3 last year while the Auggies were 4-6.  This year the question marks are Coe is bringing in a new head coach, while Augustana is changing from the wing-t to the spread.  I won't be surprised if Coe or Auggie win this game. 

i would think that coe would be the favorite to win here.  they have everyone on their defense back, all except squires and hemaseth.  they were a top 3 defense last year, shoudl be no worse, but probably better this year.  you have to remember, coe practices against the spread every day in camp.  i would think that switching from the wing t to the spread would take at least a year of adjustment (getting players into school to fit the system)  the wing t and spread are polar opposites.  coe's defense will have to win the game, i'm afraid.  they will have to do that alot this year.

[doolittledog]

I won't comment on the rest of the games, but I would consider Augustana to be the favorite over Coe, which kinda throws the rest of the matches in to doubt.

Well I assume your thinking is the CCIW is a stronger conference than the IIAC, therefore you think Augustana should beat Coe.  But Coe was 7-3 last year while the Auggies were 4-6.  This year the question marks are Coe is bringing in a new head coach, while Augustana is changing from the wing-t to the spread.  I won't be surprised if Coe or Auggie win this game. 

i would think that coe would be the favorite to win here.  they have everyone on their defense back, all except squires and hemaseth.  they were a top 3 defense last year, shoudl be no worse, but probably better this year.  you have to remember, coe practices against the spread every day in camp.  i would think that switching from the wing t to the spread would take at least a year of adjustment (getting players into school to fit the system)  the wing t and spread are polar opposites.  coe's defense will have to win the game, i'm afraid.  they will have to do that alot this year.

Yeah, I would say Coe has a lot fewer question marks than Auggie.  I would favor Coe in this game as well.  I just won't be surprised if Auggie wins either.  I think Mr. Yipsi is playing the CCIW is a better conference card.  But maybe not. 

[doolittledog]

i didnt know that dubuque lost THAT much.  i would have think your predicted record (i know it is all just wishful thinking now anyways) would have to be a fantastic year for the Spartans.  I would think something more like 4-6 would be good for them, maybe even 3-7.  they could be having a tough year.

For Dubuque it will all come down to how they they start off the season.  If they find good replacements on their o-line and they can get out of the non-con part of the schedule 2-0 and then win at Decorah against a Luther team adjusting to a new coach, then at 3-0 I think 6-4 isn't too much of a stretch.  If Dubuque comes out of the non-con part of their schedule at 1-1 and then loses up at Decorah to a Luther team that has been recharged by the addition of a new coaching staff and then comes back home to face BV sitting at a 1-2 record...then the Spartans are probably looking at 3-7 or maybe 4-6. 

[Klopenhiemer]

i didnt know that dubuque lost THAT much.  i would have think your predicted record (i know it is all just wishful thinking now anyways) would have to be a fantastic year for the Spartans.  I would think something more like 4-6 would be good for them, maybe even 3-7.  they could be having a tough year.

For Dubuque it will all come down to how they they start off the season.  If they find good replacements on their o-line and they can get out of the non-con part of the schedule 2-0 and then win at Decorah against a Luther team adjusting to a new coach, then at 3-0 I think 6-4 isn't too much of a stretch.  If Dubuque comes out of the non-con part of their schedule at 1-1 and then loses up at Decorah to a Luther team that has been recharged by the addition of a new coaching staff and then comes back home to face BV sitting at a 1-2 record...then the Spartans are probably looking at 3-7 or maybe 4-6. 

If UD goes 3-7 then they will take a step backwards as a program.  I am not ready to hail UD as a year in year out contender, but I think the days of them being a bottom feeder are gone.  With the last two years, it has had to have helped recruiting.  The underclassman in the program have also experienced this winning, and have a taste of it.  I assume that they will want more and accept nothing less than winning.  5-5 would be a good season considering what they lost.  As I stated above, anything less and it would be a step backwards/failure. 

[doolittledog]

i didnt know that dubuque lost THAT much.  i would have think your predicted record (i know it is all just wishful thinking now anyways) would have to be a fantastic year for the Spartans.  I would think something more like 4-6 would be good for them, maybe even 3-7.  they could be having a tough year.

For Dubuque it will all come down to how they they start off the season.  If they find good replacements on their o-line and they can get out of the non-con part of the schedule 2-0 and then win at Decorah against a Luther team adjusting to a new coach, then at 3-0 I think 6-4 isn't too much of a stretch.  If Dubuque comes out of the non-con part of their schedule at 1-1 and then loses up at Decorah to a Luther team that has been recharged by the addition of a new coaching staff and then comes back home to face BV sitting at a 1-2 record...then the Spartans are probably looking at 3-7 or maybe 4-6. 

If UD goes 3-7 then they will take a step backwards as a program.  I am not ready to hail UD as a year in year out contender, but I think the days of them being a bottom feeder are gone.  With the last two years, it has had to have helped recruiting.  The underclassman in the program have also experienced this winning, and have a taste of it.  I assume that they will want more and accept nothing less than winning.  5-5 would be a good season considering what they lost.  As I stated above, anything less and it would be a step backwards/failure. 

I will be more than happy to have Dubuque swap places with Loras as bottom feeder of the IIAC 

As far as recruiting...we have often heard from posters on here that there was no way they would have gone to UD because they didn't want to bust their butt in practice only to go 0-10 on the season.  They wanted to go to a school that was going to win games.  Now, I have read a few stories in the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald of Iowa kids commiting to UD and they told the paper they were going to UD because the Spartans were building something special and they wanted to go there a be a part of a winning program.  Maybe it's an Iowa thing to only want to play for a winner?!?!

[ShowMe]

The first week is big for Cornell too! We need to evaluate how the O-Line and D-Line performs. They are the start of any turnaround; the game is won or lost on the line. They are the most valuable players.

We need to eliminate turnovers, stay out of 3rd long, and see big improvements in the kicking game. We need field goals inside the 25 and average 40+ punting the ball.

The O and D needs to gain experience getting control a game, if not early and least late in the game. If it's late, we gain experience playing 60 minutes. We need to learn how to play 60 minutes to win tough conference games. It will build character.

There is enough talent at Cornell to win the conference; the players, coaches, administration and fans just has to believe and prove it, one play and game at a time.

If we loss, lets loss on the last play of the game, it will build character.

We will face a tough Grinnell team that shares the same goal to turnaround a program. Do not underestimate any team!

Show Me...you're a nice kid and all, but you're gonna have to lay off the sauce.

I'd love to see Cornell contend, and I love your enthusiasm, but us winning the IIAC...!?

What the hell, who am I to dampen anyone's hopes and dreams?

Go get 'em Rams!    8)

It can happen! Time will tell the story. At least I'm on record if it comes true. Let's start with Grinnell.

[the_mayne_event]

The first week is big for Cornell too! We need to evaluate how the O-Line and D-Line performs. They are the start of any turnaround; the game is won or lost on the line. They are the most valuable players.

We need to eliminate turnovers, stay out of 3rd long, and see big improvements in the kicking game. We need field goals inside the 25 and average 40+ punting the ball.

The O and D needs to gain experience getting control a game, if not early and least late in the game. If it's late, we gain experience playing 60 minutes. We need to learn how to play 60 minutes to win tough conference games. It will build character.

There is enough talent at Cornell to win the conference; the players, coaches, administration and fans just has to believe and prove it, one play and game at a time.

If we loss, lets loss on the last play of the game, it will build character.

We will face a tough Grinnell team that shares the same goal to turnaround a program. Do not underestimate any team!

Show Me...you're a nice kid and all, but you're gonna have to lay off the sauce.

I'd love to see Cornell contend, and I love your enthusiasm, but us winning the IIAC...!?

What the hell, who am I to dampen anyone's hopes and dreams?

Go get 'em Rams!    8)

It can happen! Time will tell the story. At least I'm on record if it comes true. Let's start with Grinnell.

i'd concentrate on winning a game in the IIAC first, start with that

[dutchfan1]

ShowMe -- welcome to the board!

How long ago did you play for the Rams?