FB: American Rivers Conference

[DutchFan2004]

Well here are my pics for this weekend.

Central over Hope

Coe over Aurora

Alma over Cornell

Dubuque over Wisconsin Lutheran

St Thomas over Loras

Luther over ST Olaf

Bethel over Simpson

Good luck and I hope I am wrong about the IIAC teams I did not choose.  I always want the IIAC to look good. 

[K-Mack]

I think it will be tough going for Cornell after teams get a few of their games on tape. You have to remember for these first few games no teams have any clue what they're going to do.

Moreso than tape might be seeing it. The Wing-T can be shut down by scheme, but it usually helps to have played against it. The first look can be confusing. Reading your keys vs. the Wing T is completely different than everything else all year.

As we were always told by the great coach Joe Riccio when we played Gettysburg ... The guards will take you to the ball.

"if you are married you can understand all the planning and crap that goes into all of it."

Does your wife-to-be know you call it "crap?"

[SpeedKills84]

Cornell wins in the most convincing fashion I've seen in 3 years.  They scored more points in this past weekends game than in any single game all of last season.  It'll be interesting to see how well the team's health will hold up this season as that is the obvious key to any success they will have this year.  It's hard to say what the outcome will be for the rams this season but I have a feeling it'll be better than the bottom of the conference as predicted.  The game at Alma this weekend should be a much needed challenge before the conference schedule starts.  Rumor has it Alma is being a bunch of ( insert expletive ) and refused to give any type of game/scrimmage film from this year to Cornell.  Maybe they're just a bunch of stingy ( call em what you please) or they have a new offense that for some reason has changed drastically despite their 500+ yd/game average from last year.  Only time will tell.  Good luck to all the Iowa Conference teams.

[sportsknight]

My picks for the week:

Central over Hope by a couple TDs
Coe over Aurora by more than 10, but less than 17
Don't know much about Alma, but I'll take Cornell on the road by a TD
Dubuque over WiscLut by 13
St. Thomas over Loras by 20
Luther over St. Olaf by 7 or less
Bethel over Simpson by 13

And just for good measure, I like Iowa, ISU, Drake, and UNI to win this weekend.

[K-Mack]

K-Mack I will keep track of them.  You and Sportsknight are in the lead by one.  Then there is another way to look at it.  You are only 2 out of last place.  LOL. 

Interesting.

Well I feel comfortable either way.

I see we're not all doing the scores/won by # of points, but it does make the predictions a little more meaty, does it not?

[dbljay21]

Sounds like there is a lot of excitement brewing around the new Cornell coach, very similar to the atmosphere around Luther when Hefty arrived.  It will be interesting to see how the program progresses in the next couple of years.  On to the picks for the week...

Alma over Cornell by 7
Central over Hope by 13
Coe over Aurora by 10
Dubuque over Wiconsin Luther by 14
St. Thomas over Loras by 21
Bethel over Simpson by 10
Luther over St. Olaf by 7

Game of the Week: Ohio State wins over Texas as Ted Ginn, Jr. has two touchdowns against a depleted Texas secondary following the arrest of their best cover corner Tarell Brown.

Good Luck to all of the IIAC this weekend.

[DutchFan2004]

You are right K Mack about it being more interesting with the points. 

Central by 10

Coe by 10

Alma by 14

Dubuque by 14

St Thomas by 14

Luther by 3

Bethel by 7

I think the games will be fairly close and competitive.  With the picks from last week I was just ribbing you K-Mack it will take a season to extend and break away from the pack.  With just 9 games the first week and 7 this week and then 4 per week after that.  There shouldn't be a huge spread between first and last unless someone just completely is smoking thier socks. 

[The Show]

I'm taking all IIAC teams except Simpson and Loras.  Bethel and St. Thomas will prevent the IIAC sweep this weekend.

[lorbec47]

Ah the heck with it, I'm shaking things up a bit...

Central wins by 10
Coe wins by 30
Alma wins by 14
Dubuque wins by 17
Loras wins by 3 (Come on!)
Simpson wins by 6 (why not)
St. Olaf by 10

However, I also want all IIAC teams to win. Make myself, and all others that didn't pick your team, to eat crow!

[Da One]

Picks for the week

Central over Hope by 13  (31-18)  only with a healthy Schuring
Coe over Aurora by 35 (42-7) AU lost to Cornell last year with a better team than they have this year.  Coe could put Marv Levy at QB and still walk in this one.  And I'm an AU grad.
Alma over Cornell by 14 (28-14) Alma is a quality team.  much better than Blackburn
Dubuque over Wis Lutheran by 17 (24-7)  To many athletes for Wis Luth. to handle
St. Thomas over Loras by 11 (21-10)  Tommies gave the Knights a good game last week.  To much for the rebuilding DuHawks
Luther over St. Olaf by 3 (38-35)  This game will be a shoot out.  Both the Norse and the Oles can put points on the board.  The question is which Defense will make a couple of plays.
Bethel over Simpson by 7 (21-14)  I think the strom are rebuilding as well.  To many key losses from last year

[NorseFan]

My picks for the week.

Central Over Hope with a strong performance from the D

Coe over Aurora

Cornell wins against Alma

Wisco Luth will win a close one over UD.  It comes down to discipline.

St Thomas over Loras

The Storm over Bethel

Luther beats St Olaf by more than people think.  The D will be there this year.  You can count on Coach Marlow having them fired up and prepared.

Good luck to the IIAC this weekend.  Hope everyone comes away with a win and healthy.

[Floyd in Iowa City]

I hope you are right about Luther, NorseFan.  The Norse Defense last week did look like they might be better this year up front, but the Oles were very good last year on offense and also may have improved with so many starters returning.  These early season tests always have lots of questions going into the game.

Based on last year's game and how consistent the two teams were last year (St. Olaf was 8-2, Luther was 6-4), I would favor the Oles by around seven points.  Sweers (Luther QB) looked great to me last week and is capable of going off on anyone like he did to Martin Luther, especially with those receivers.

Turnovers were a huge issue last year since both offenses moved the ball all game.  Sherden played in that game and played well, but Pearson played hurt in that game.

The Norse are capable of playing with and beating most teams in the region.  Consistency, injuries, and how they have improved in mediocre areas like run defense and turnovers will help determine how this season goes.  It would help if the defense played more like the 2004 and 2003 versions of the Norse Defense.

[K-Mack]

Getting mine in last minute here.

Central over Hope ... I think it'll be a decent game. The Dutch seem to just win, but not dominate. 27-14.

Coe over Aurora ... I want to say the top of the IBFC is a challenge, but I'd be being dishonest because I'm supposed to be fair and unbiased. 45-21.

Alma over Cornell ... Alma can really air it out, I think Cornell might score some though. 42-14.

Dubuque over Wisconsin Lutheran ... 28-22.

St. Thomas over Loras ... Tight one. 14-13.

Luther over St. Olaf ... could be a shootout. 42-35.

Bethel over Simpson ... Simpson disappointed last week, they really need to bounce back. Could go either way, but I'll take the Royals 21-20.

[SpeedKills84]

Cornell wins ?  Cornell wins !   32-31     Heard they scored with only about a minute left in the game and went for 2 for the victory.  I know the conference games havent started yet but i must say Cornell has impressed me thus far. 

[floppydog282000]

Hi all,
The Dog is back and ready for somemore football like today are you kidding me a 2pt conversion with 7.9 on the clock to get the win on the road. Look out IIAC the Rams are 2-0 the horns are waxed up and ready to but heads with everyone who gets in the way. I havent been this fired up since I was on Binladens tail down by Spin Boldack Afghanistan, go figure that coward was in full retreat I expect the IIAC will show up and play this should be one heck of an exciting year. Coe's win streak may be in danger now that we have a compitant coaching staff that cares about football and winning.
See Ya in 7