FB: American Rivers Conference

[5 Words or Less]

I know what you meant ... just havin' fun

[TC]

So, what does Loras have going this year?

They beat a CCIW team and Coe lost to one.

I'm sure Coe's defense will dictate this game.

Well your last comment maybe a fair statement (I don't have an opinion either way on it), but I think your comparison is an apples and oranges one.  They both are CCIW teams but not the same one.  That would be like comparing a team that played Wartburg and Cornell or Central and Cornell.  A top teir team and a bottom teir team from the same conference I don't think have any thing in common.  On the pickem board only 9 of 30 posters picked Loras so they surprised the board with a W.  Coe on the other hand was a 21-10 favor picked by the IIAC posters to win the game and lost.  There is not a lot to compare here is the big point.  I will say if the Coe D does show up and shuts down Loras it may be a long day for the Duhawks. 

Auggie is tradionaly a middle to lower pack team in the MIAC and Carleton is a bottom feeder in the MIAC.  With Carleton's win over Bethel this past weekend, I think it leaves little doubt that Carleton will be a bottom feeder this season. 

With the losses at the top of the IIAC and the losses at the top of the MIAC, I think this is not a tradional year, and it will be hard to make any type of comparisions. 

What does that make Bethel?

It would assume it makes Bethel down a bit this season from the past performances.  Thats why I think it will be very hard to make any comparisions this year, as some teams from the bottom in some odd spots are making some noise.  Even Heys said that Carleton was a better than good team this year.  History says Bethel is a contender, this season is a different story so to speak. 

So Bethel is a sub-bottom feeder???

The Johnnie's will love this!

Until the Johnnies lose to Bethel again.  You think this week's MIAC Post Patterns meltdown was fun?  Just wait...

[Charlie Kohawk]

I love how we finally get to conference season and the talk turns non-conference.

[5 Words or Less]

Turnover Margin - First Three Weeks

Team(s)	TO Margin	Result
BV (vs. UWP)	+2	loss
Luther (vs. St. O)	+2	loss
Simpson (vs. GVU)	+4	win
Augustana (vs. Coe)	+2	win
Rockford (vs. UD)	+2	loss
Carlton (vs. Cornell)	+3	win
Redlands (vs. UD)	+2	win
Gustavus (vs. Coe)	+2	win
Luther (vs. UD)	+4	win
BV (vs. Simpson)	+3	win
------------------------	-----------	------------
Winning Percentage		70%

[Klopenhiemer]

So, what does Loras have going this year?

They beat a CCIW team and Coe lost to one.

I'm sure Coe's defense will dictate this game.

Well your last comment maybe a fair statement (I don't have an opinion either way on it), but I think your comparison is an apples and oranges one.  They both are CCIW teams but not the same one.  That would be like comparing a team that played Wartburg and Cornell or Central and Cornell.  A top teir team and a bottom teir team from the same conference I don't think have any thing in common.  On the pickem board only 9 of 30 posters picked Loras so they surprised the board with a W.  Coe on the other hand was a 21-10 favor picked by the IIAC posters to win the game and lost.  There is not a lot to compare here is the big point.  I will say if the Coe D does show up and shuts down Loras it may be a long day for the Duhawks. 

Auggie is tradionaly a middle to lower pack team in the MIAC and Carleton is a bottom feeder in the MIAC.  With Carleton's win over Bethel this past weekend, I think it leaves little doubt that Carleton will be a bottom feeder this season. 

With the losses at the top of the IIAC and the losses at the top of the MIAC, I think this is not a tradional year, and it will be hard to make any type of comparisions. 

What does that make Bethel?

It would assume it makes Bethel down a bit this season from the past performances.  Thats why I think it will be very hard to make any comparisions this year, as some teams from the bottom in some odd spots are making some noise.  Even Heys said that Carleton was a better than good team this year.  History says Bethel is a contender, this season is a different story so to speak. 

So Bethel is a sub-bottom feeder???

The Johnnie's will love this!

Until the Johnnies lose to Bethel again.  You think this week's MIAC Post Patterns meltdown was fun?  Just wait...

TC...Who said anything about a MIAC PP meltdown?  Who said anything about fun?  If you are refering to the topsy turvey weekend the MIAC experienced, well the IIAC has had that.  The big dogs can be on top forever.  Us little bottom feeding weaklings show a glimer every now and again. 

[DBQ1965]

I have visited the Albion College web site to scout Central's opposition for this week.  It looks like quite a place and I'm sorry I won't be able to get there for the game.  Two things made particular impressions on me.  The first was mention of their marching band, "The Albion marching band, The British Eighth, performs for all college home football games, providing a new show for each football appearance."  It is their homecoming and I expect "The British Eighth," will put on a sterling show.  With luck I will get to see it on the streaming webcast.  The second was, "The Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center sits on 340 acres of undulating land on the Albion College campus."  It is my new goal to someday be rich enough to donate the 340 undulating acre Fannosaurus Rex Equestrian Center to my alma mater.  The only stipulation would be, they have to let me come by every so often and enjoy the undulations.

Albion also plays football at one of the best named stadiums out there...Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium!!! (that one deserves 3 exclamation marks)

Also looking at their website, the Albion uniforms will make you think you are playing Loras...and they went 2-8 last year to be even more like Loras

Another Loras link, Albion lost to Millikin by about the same score that Millikin lost to Loras.  So I doubt Central will have too hard of a time on the grid iron this coming weekend.  Beautiful campus at Albion though. 

Albion's football glory came in 1994 when they defeated Washington and Jefferson 38-15 in the Stagg Bowl.

[Klompen]

Albion's football glory came in 1994 when they defeated Washington and Jefferson 38-15 in the Stagg Bowl.

That is pretty good football glory.  Have to give credit to any school that gets to the Stagg Bowl, let alone wins it.  It's an impressive accomplishment.

[LCNorse]

Thunder, oldNorse, and floyd if any of you were at the UD, LC game on saturday I was wondering what your thoughts on how the D played...I thought they were much improved from week one. I also really like the young QB, he should be very exciting for sometime now. Just wanted some of your guys knowledgable imput...

[Walston Hoover]

Kind of boring on here this week. I guess that's what happens when the game of the year takes place in week 1.

[DutchFan2004]

Kind of boring on here this week. I guess that's what happens when the game of the year takes place in week 1.

Well from a total IIAC perspective you have two of the games of the year.  The game with the longest rivalry and the game between the two favorites.  I really don't see any rivalry games this week. 

The two games I think are interesting are the UD/BV game and the Luther/Simpson game.  Those two games are two pretty unknowns.  I think the out comes of both of those games are up for grabs.  Simpson had two easy non con games and then loses the first IIAC game against a team that they have had their way with some what in recent years.  UD has struggled since beating an easier opponent.  BV has seemed to improve so this game is a very good game to judge some things.  Has UD taken a step back if they lose?  Has BV made a step towards upper division football if they win?  Where do Luther and Simpson fall in the picture if the win/lose?

[MNbeev]

I truely believe that BV has taken a step forward.  Their O has improved, and their D is still tough.  No matter how tough UD has been in the past BV has found a way to win.  I believe and please correct me but BV has won like the last 8 out of 9 games.  I know Dubuque is a very, very improved team.  But BV did handle them pretty easily.  But as it has been said many times on this board the IIAC is a guess, any team can win.

I am perplexed on the question of, Has BV made a step forward towards the top?

But I do have an answer.  And yes they have, I think with what they have going for them is good.  Yes, it is 2 games into the season for them, but they will keep winning, and maybe surprise somebody out there.  But then again, they can win and win, and choke, who knows, it's football anyone can get beaten on any given day.  But I do see, maybe this year of them being in the top 3-4-5 if not in the next couple of years be in the top for sure, BV's recruiting was great this year.  So if there is minimal turnover and high expectations/confidence, yea, I think BV will take steps forward.

As for UD, teams struggle, and if after a loss they struggle more it is something most teams battle through, every one goes through adversity, it is the good teams that fight adversity and win after it.  And UD I do not see taking any steps back from where they are at.  They are a good team that has improved, and will keep improving, they have got the taste of winning, and they like it in Dubuque.  The recruits will keep coming, the wins will keep coming, and the confidence will keep raising. 

[doolittledog]

I truely believe that BV has taken a step forward.  Their O has improved, and their D is still tough.  No matter how tough UD has been in the past BV has found a way to win.  I believe and please correct me but BV has won like the last 8 out of 9 games.  I know Dubuque is a very, very improved team.  But BV did handle them pretty easily.  But as it has been said many times on this board the IIAC is a guess, any team can win.

I am perplexed on the question of, Has BV made a step forward towards the top?

But I do have an answer.  And yes they have, I think with what they have going for them is good.  Yes, it is 2 games into the season for them, but they will keep winning, and maybe surprise somebody out there.  But then again, they can win and win, and choke, who knows, it's football anyone can get beaten on any given day.  But I do see, maybe this year of them being in the top 3-4-5 if not in the next couple of years be in the top for sure, BV's recruiting was great this year.  So if there is minimal turnover and high expectations/confidence, yea, I think BV will take steps forward.

As for UD, teams struggle, and if after a loss they struggle more it is something most teams battle through, every one goes through adversity, it is the good teams that fight adversity and win after it.  And UD I do not see taking any steps back from where they are at.  They are a good team that has improved, and will keep improving, they have got the taste of winning, and they like it in Dubuque.  The recruits will keep coming, the wins will keep coming, and the confidence will keep raising. 

A key for BV this weekend will be stopping the UD run game.  It has been non-existant the last 2 weeks and they have lost both games.  In the Rockford game Jamar Curry had 13 carries for 137 yards at half-time.  That opened up the passing game for UD and they won big.  BV, I think has won something like 18 of the last 19 games against UD.  Then again, most every team in the IIAC has a similar record against the Spartans   We are getting better though!!! 

Last week Dubuque was up 14-3 early in the 2nd quarter and had scored on a 2nd and goal from the 1 yard line.  The play was brought back because of a false start and Dubuque fumbled the ball away on the next play.  I wonder if the outcome would have been different if the Norse had been staring down a 21-3 deficit???  We will never know.  This weekend if Dubuque can get mean again and get a running game established, they can beat BV.  If BV stuffs the run it will probably be a long game...and a long year for the Spartans.  I'm not ready to give up yet on them.  That is a talented team in search of a bit of an identity at this point.  Plus, if they can win some more I might be able to talk my wife into letting me see another game AT Dubuque again this year.  That is a nice place they have there!!!

[DutchFan2004]

I truely believe that BV has taken a step forward.  Their O has improved, and their D is still tough.  No matter how tough UD has been in the past BV has found a way to win.  I believe and please correct me but BV has won like the last 8 out of 9 games.  I know Dubuque is a very, very improved team.  But BV did handle them pretty easily.  But as it has been said many times on this board the IIAC is a guess, any team can win.

I am perplexed on the question of, Has BV made a step forward towards the top?

But I do have an answer.  And yes they have, I think with what they have going for them is good.  Yes, it is 2 games into the season for them, but they will keep winning, and maybe surprise somebody out there.  But then again, they can win and win, and choke, who knows, it's football anyone can get beaten on any given day.  But I do see, maybe this year of them being in the top 3-4-5 if not in the next couple of years be in the top for sure, BV's recruiting was great this year.  So if there is minimal turnover and high expectations/confidence, yea, I think BV will take steps forward.

As for UD, teams struggle, and if after a loss they struggle more it is something most teams battle through, every one goes through adversity, it is the good teams that fight adversity and win after it.  And UD I do not see taking any steps back from where they are at.  They are a good team that has improved, and will keep improving, they have got the taste of winning, and they like it in Dubuque.  The recruits will keep coming, the wins will keep coming, and the confidence will keep raising. 

MNBeev

The question came from the last 7 years results

2007

3-5 in the conference 6th place

2006

4-4 in the conference 5th place

2005 

4-4 in the conference and 5th place

2004

5-3 in the conference and 3rd place

2003

4-4 in the conference and 5th place

2002

3-6 in the conference and 8th place

2001

4-5 in the conference and 5th place

I did not count ties such as ties for 1st place moving teams up places.  You can quibble about the places but I think this is explaining my question.  BV has only one upper half finish in the last seven years.  The 5th place is right in the middle not upper not lower since the Peacocks left.  If they win this Saturday they will be on their way to an upper half finish but they still have what has been the upper half (or what has been) to play yet.  If they win against the Spartans this will leave the Duhawks, Rams, and Norse within striking distance of the upper half.  It is possible, the first step is this Saturday and the reason for the question I posed. 

[TheOne89.1]

ATTENTION TAILGATERS HEADED TO PELLA SATURDAY:  I have just mixed, and will have with me on Saturday, a bowl full of TheOne's famous pretzel dip.  The stuff is absolutely amazing and, assuming I don't eat most of it myself tomorrow, it will be present at the pregame festivities on Saturday.  So if you're scoring at home (or even if you're alone), that makes my menu for Saturday pretzel dip, beer (good stuff too), bean bag toss, blaring tunes (put together a nice pregame playlist for the mp3 player last night), and sparkling conversation.

The One's  favorite tailgate recipe
INGREDENETS
1 or 2   large coolers
2         cases of your favorite beer
2 or 3  large bags of ice

DIRECTIONS
Allow to chill for 2 hours and serve and enjoy

Go KNIGHTS!
[/quote]

Only 2 cases of your favorite beer?  I must be slacking as I get farther from 20 and closer to 30.

Still working on catching up on this board.  Hopefully I can post later today and actually be caught up.

[KCDutch]

ATTENTION TAILGATERS HEADED TO PELLA SATURDAY:  I have just mixed, and will have with me on Saturday, a bowl full of TheOne's famous pretzel dip.  The stuff is absolutely amazing and, assuming I don't eat most of it myself tomorrow, it will be present at the pregame festivities on Saturday.  So if you're scoring at home (or even if you're alone), that makes my menu for Saturday pretzel dip, beer (good stuff too), bean bag toss, blaring tunes (put together a nice pregame playlist for the mp3 player last night), and sparkling conversation.

The One's  favorite tailgate recipe
INGREDENETS
1 or 2   large coolers
2         cases of your favorite beer
2 or 3  large bags of ice

DIRECTIONS
Allow to chill for 2 hours and serve and enjoy

Go KNIGHTS!

Only 2 cases of your favorite beer?  I must be slacking as I get farther from 20 and closer to 30.

Still working on catching up on this board.  Hopefully I can post later today and actually be caught up.
[/quote]
TheOne-

I made your pretzel dip Saturday.....outstanding!