FB: American Rivers Conference

[Klopenhiemer]

5 words or less as a football coach...  Stan Zweifel in his first year as UD head coach

pregame...Ok team, go get em

halftime...we need to make adjustments

postgame...we'll get them next time

press conference...we just didn't execute today

recruiting pitch...you can start freshman year

to potential tranfers...roof my house, we'll talk

Fixed it for you

I'd be willing to put money that isn't true

Willie U

I'll take your money.  I would bet big money that UD does not win more than 4 games next year. 

[doolittledog]

I would not be surprised to see UD go 2-8 next season.  I also would not be shocked if they went 7-3.  It would make sense though, that with a new coach, we will see the Spartans struggle a bit on the field in 2009. 

My IIAC questions...as of this writing anyway, are.

Does BV continue their winning ways?  After a few low number recruiting years, last year saw BV bring in a big class AND better results on the field.  Will 2009 see continued recruiting success?

Does Central go back to being Central in 2009?  Or do the Dutch start to lose ground to Simpson and other IIAC schools?

Was 2008 a sign of things to come for Loras? 

Will 2009 see the continued resurgance of the Simpson Storm program? 

We saw signs of improvement last year at Cornell.  Do the Rams continue on that path of improvement?  Or do the wheels finally fall off that wagon in Mt. Vernon?

For me, I suspect Wartburg will continue to be Wartburg.  Luther will continue to be Luther.  Coe will have a 2009 very similar to their 2008.  Dubuque will struggle...hopefully though, we will then see big signs of improvement for the Spartans in 2010. 

[Klopenhiemer]

I would not be surprised to see UD go 2-8 next season.  I also would not be shocked if they went 7-3.  It would make sense though, that with a new coach, we will see the Spartans struggle a bit on the field in 2009. 

My IIAC questions...as of this writing anyway, are.

Does BV continue their winning ways?  After a few low number recruiting years, last year saw BV bring in a big class AND better results on the field.  Will 2009 see continued recruiting success?

Does Central go back to being Central in 2009?  Or do the Dutch start to lose ground to Simpson and other IIAC schools?

Was 2008 a sign of things to come for Loras? 

Will 2009 see the continued resurgance of the Simpson Storm program? 

We saw signs of improvement last year at Cornell.  Do the Rams continue on that path of improvement?  Or do the wheels finally fall off that wagon in Mt. Vernon?

For me, I suspect Wartburg will continue to be Wartburg.  Luther will continue to be Luther.  Coe will have a 2009 very similar to their 2008.  Dubuque will struggle...hopefully though, we will then see big signs of improvement for the Spartans in 2010. 

Its been more about 4 years since BV has had low numbers in the recruiting classes.  Their numbers have been up and look for a great class in 09 with the year they had last season.  If they can find a QB, then they will continue their winning ways.  They have a lot of key people coming back and a lot of underclassmen who are ready to step up and take on the challenge. 

I do not see Central back on top of the IIAC in 2009.  I think it will be a few years before we see this again.  There is a lot of parity in the conference right now and I think things will continue to be topsy turvey. 

Loras could be good again if they can replace McGrew.  They had a stud in the backfield and he carried that team at times.  With the oline in check and a good back in the backfield you could see Loras stay in the hunt. 

I still see Simpson being competitive as always but I do not see them taking on the top tier yet. 

Cornell needs to win a game before we can say they have made a lot of improvements.  They might have improved so to speak last year but no winning a game has to leave a sour taste in some kids mouths.  For the program and Heys/Heys Jr. I hope they win at least one game so that Pale Bass Ale doesn't have to start a brewery in Heys basement

UD I do not see winning more than 4 games. 

Warty will be tough as always.  Coming off of last years run they have to be the favorite to be on top in 2009. 

Luther well they did some good things lets see what year 2 of the new coaching staff brings.  Soph slumps have been known to happen. 

Coe will be at the bottom this year. Enough said. 

[Willie University]

I would not be surprised to see UD go 2-8 next season.  I also would not be shocked if they went 7-3.  It would make sense though, that with a new coach, we will see the Spartans struggle a bit on the field in 2009. 

My IIAC questions...as of this writing anyway, are.

Does BV continue their winning ways?  After a few low number recruiting years, last year saw BV bring in a big class AND better results on the field.  Will 2009 see continued recruiting success?

Does Central go back to being Central in 2009?  Or do the Dutch start to lose ground to Simpson and other IIAC schools?

Was 2008 a sign of things to come for Loras? 

Will 2009 see the continued resurgance of the Simpson Storm program? 

We saw signs of improvement last year at Cornell.  Do the Rams continue on that path of improvement?  Or do the wheels finally fall off that wagon in Mt. Vernon?

For me, I suspect Wartburg will continue to be Wartburg.  Luther will continue to be Luther.  Coe will have a 2009 very similar to their 2008.  Dubuque will struggle...hopefully though, we will then see big signs of improvement for the Spartans in 2010. 

2-8 isn't even a question. they have lost only a couple major contributers and I have a feeling, will have a few suprises in store, we will see.........

[doolittledog]

Willie, I have high hopes for the Spartans.  I just don't want to set myself up with too many high hopes...like last season.  Like I said, I COULD see 2-8 just as easily as I could see 7-3.  Who knows, if this staff can keep a lot of the talent that was there on campus and can bring in some new blood as well.  The sky is the limit.  I will just be satisfied if the Spartans can improve on last seasons record. 

Have you heard of any coaching positions being filled at UD?  I haven't heard much of anything. 

[DutchFan2004]

Cornell made some huge steps last year.  They raised their talent level.  Now they have to learn how to win and close the deal.  They had the Dutch on the ropes and should have won the game but let the Dutch off the hook.  That is not all the players problem, but the coaches need to learn how to close the deal as well.  I think Cornell can get some IIAC wins this year.  Not sure who will or how many IIAC victims there will be but I think it will happen. 


I think a big question for UD is who will show up this fall of the current players.  UD has had problems with keeping players.  With the coaching changes can the new staff retain the players or enough with some good recruits to turn things around this next fall.  If they can do that they can maybe win some games. 

Coe will be competitive but don't know if they will have enough to win those close games they lost.  They will not be a door mat what ever their record says at the end of the year.  They will still take a strong effort to beat. 

Central took a step back with the losses of so many senior starters.  The Dutch did not replace the losses with the same level of maturity.  I think the talent was maybe a little down from where it was having to replace three years of MVP seasons.  (that is not to say that there can not be an MVP on the current roster)  The Dutch after having 3-4 pretty good years of injury free seasons were hit hard and a lot of freshman got PT.   If the Dutch can mature and get some leaders on the field they can be in there for the championship again. 

Simpson and Luther were on the rise last year.  Will they be able to continue that rise? 

Loras has to replace an MVP.  Not easy to do.  I also think they had some senior receivers too that need replacing.  If they do that they can remain in the top half.


BV almost got to the top.  Will history repeat in Storm Lake like 04-05?  That is the question.  They do have a lot of talent back so this may be the year they get it done, but with the teams coming back it will be a tough season as always.

Wartburg will be the favorites.  I am sure that there are capable replacements for the Knights the cupboard is never empty in Waverly.  The question is will they be able to play at the level of the starters they lose to graduation.  The Knights are never an easy opponent and won't be with Coach Willis at the helm. 


If there is a year that the conference is not dominated by Wartburg and Central this could be the year for a new front runner.  Will Simpson get back to the glory days?  Can Luther make improvements to get to the top?  Will BV make another run only to be upended at the finish line?  Can Loras stay in the upper division? Will Central find the leaders to get them back on track?  Can UD get back to the upper division?  Will Cornell get the ofer monkey off their backs?  Will Wartburg get back to the regional finals?  All these questions will be answered in time.  I hate this time of year when we can not watch our favorite teams play our favorite game.   

[the_mayne_event]

looks like ferentz went with the "we will recruit a 2-star and make him a 4 star" approach this year.  landing the 10th ranked class in the big 11

[Klopenhiemer]

looks like ferentz went with the "we will recruit a 2-star and make him a 4 star" approach this year.  landing the 10th ranked class in the big 11

According to who?  EPSN and their Top 150 list.  I find it strange that year in and year out teams like Notre Dame, Miami, and Clemson all boast stellar recruiting classes only to be mediocre teams.  I would not put much stock in who has the best recruiting class. 

Take a look at Tennessee.  They have a Top 15 recruiting class and Lane Kiffin did not take over the program till around Jan 1st.  Pretty interesting that he got on the road that quickly and swayed that many votes his direction.  Anyways just another one of my rants. 

[the_mayne_event]

looks like ferentz went with the "we will recruit a 2-star and make him a 4 star" approach this year.  landing the 10th ranked class in the big 11

According to who?  EPSN and their Top 150 list.  I find it strange that year in and year out teams like Notre Dame, Miami, and Clemson all boast stellar recruiting classes only to be mediocre teams.  I would not put much stock in who has the best recruiting class. 

Take a look at Tennessee.  They have a Top 15 recruiting class and Lane Kiffin did not take over the program till around Jan 1st.  Pretty interesting that he got on the road that quickly and swayed that many votes his direction.  Anyways just another one of my rants. 

Rivals.com, Sportingnews.com
That has been Ferentz's achilles heel the past few years.  People have been saying that he has lost his touch in the recruiting - and the last couple of years has been pretty dissappointing.  You can't put food on the table if the cupboard is bare.  I agree - stellar recruiting doesnt equate success, but it makes things easier.  I know that you also have to develop that talent - but look at Bama, Saben is there for 2 years and has them almost undefeated season, and a lot of that is based on recruiting.

[doolittledog]

Iowa had a top 10 recruiting season in 2005 and almost none of those guys became very successful.  The last 2 years have supposedly been bad recruiting years but we have seen Jewel Hampton and Tyler Sash among others that have stepped right in and done well for the team. 

I have no problem at all with the recruiting job Ferentz is doing.  Now, if I could just find some news regarding Dubuque and the rest of the IIAC!!!

[DutchFan2004]

I would like to see a break down of the top 150 recruits over the last 10 years and how they faired in the programs they joined.  I wonder how many kids made an impact and how many didn't and have not graduated. 

[footballdaddy]

My take, as I've stated before, is that the 5 star blue chip recruits won't look at Iowa after Florida, USC, etc. talk to them. Therefore they are left with lower rated players,either in talent or other baggage. Iowa used to turn them into good and even great players. Now they end up in the Johnson County Penal League. This isn't limited to football, or even to just Iowa. ISU (or I State) is another example.

[footballdaddy]

On a related note,did anyone see the piece on ESPN about the lineman in Nevada that fabricated a story about being a D1 recruit? He had everyone snowed and even held a press conference in front of his whole school to annouce he was signing with California. He had made all of it up. He was from a small school and was good against his competeion, but he went to a couple of combines and was rated as a walk on. He just kept piling up the story until it fell in on him. It was really kind of sad.

[coocooforcoekohawk]

It is so discouraging to see kids ride the bench for four or five years just to say they were a Hawkeye or Gator or whatever team.  I wish more of them would go places they could play, like the IIAC, or OAC, or WIAC, or whatever small school and start for four years.

Can someone explain why it is better to sit for a larger school than play for a smaller school?

Carey Bender was smart for an example, he red shirted at UNI, figured out he was not going to play the next year and transferred to Coe and ended up a Gagliardi winner.

In my opinion when I look back at college I would want to remember playing not sitting.

[Walston Hoover]

It is so discouraging to see kids ride the bench for four or five years just to say they were a Hawkeye or Gator or whatever team.  I wish more of them would go places they could play, like the IIAC, or OAC, or WIAC, or whatever small school and start for four years.

Can someone explain why it is better to sit for a larger school than play for a smaller school?

Carey Bender was smart for an example, he red shirted at UNI, figured out he was not going to play the next year and transferred to Coe and ended up a Gagliardi winner.

In my opinion when I look back at college I would want to remember playing not sitting.

That's up to each kid. Having an opportunity to run out in front of 50,60,70,or even 80 thousand fans and play and travel to some of the best stadiums in the country is appealing for some guys. Me? I figured I could travel to those stadiums after I got done playing. Wasn't going to spend the most athletic years of my life getting beat up on the scout team. I would have rather won a lot of games and run out in front of 5 thousand.