FB: American Rivers Conference

[dbljay21]

Walston,
What are the lines for this weekend's games?

[Walston Hoover]

With Wartburg out of conference for the week, I almost forgot about that.
The favorites are also my predictions for the week but I reserve the right to change that by noon Saturday.

Central -8.5 @ Luther
Central may be primed for an upset this week, but all is lost for Luther right now. Who woulda thunk that halfway through the year they are at the bottom of the conference? Anyone know what the attitude is around Decorah after such a promising start to the year against Martin Luther  ?
If this game becomes a shootout Luther has a chance, but I see it in the 20-10 range in favor of the damn dirty Dutch.

Coe -3.5 @ UD
I am almost inclined to go against my spread and pick the Spartans, since this is a lot closer match-up than I anticipated at the beginning of the year.  Halfway through the year and UD still has a shot. If they win then look out conference. Just don't quite see it happening with Coe coming off a loss though.

Cornell + 13.5 @ Loras
I would have had the spread a little larger, but I see a little letdown from the Duhawks after a huge win last week. This is a good opponent for them to play after Coe.
After averaging over 30 ppg against their nonconference opponents who had no idea what to prepare for, as more teams have seen the Rams on tape, they have gone from 14, to 7, to getting shut out last week. Can they go negative this week
This game could get ugly if the Duhawks show up.

Simpson @ BV  pick
Still have to think about this one. My initial thoughts go with Simpson. I'll go with even right now though with the long trip to Storm Lake, and for some reason teams in the IIAC never seem to come off Bye weeks very strong. I guess for prediction purposes I'll go with the Beavers right now using some momentum off their first win last week.
Simpson's bye week came at the wrong time coming off their first win. This may change as the week progresses as neither team has a very good offense.

Wartburg +20.5 @ Augsburg
A pissed off Knights team that has not lost 2 games in a row since at least '96. I can't state the value enough of having tape on an opponent and knowing their schemes and their playmakers, which the Knights have not had the last 2 years in the nailbiters with Augsburg. Here's hoping this one gets ugly in the big City. This 0-4 team is not very good although seems to be improving, going to OT with a down Conc.-Moorehead team last week. This could be Bauder's coming out party.

So, what are the thoughts?

[lorbec47]

Picks for the week--and don't everyone jump on my wagon just because I'm 11-1, and in first place.

Central wins at Luther
UD moves the ball and beats Coe (am I really picking Coe to lose twice in a row?)
Loras beats Cornell on the Duhawk homecoming
Simpson finds a way to beat the Beavers on the lake
Wartburg rolls

[Confused77]

Picks-

Central has no problem with the Smurfs

BV over the Simpson because it is in Storm Lake

Wartburg has a rough start but rolls to a win over Augsburg. I think this is more of a rivalry for Wartburg than Luther is due to the close games the last few years and because of the Wrestling success at each school.

Loras takes care of the Rams who now wear too much white..even though I do like the helmets

Coe and UD- I really think Coe is a good football team, I really mean that, but UD has quite the offensive fire power. Not to mention a guy who does nothing but rack up kick and punt returns along with Int's and recieving yards. Should I go on?
I think this will be a high scoring game. UD 52 Coe 49. I am begging Coe to roll the Spartans, so get it done Kohawks and make my pick look foolish.

[Walston Hoover]

If UD wins this week, the 14th could be a huge week in the conference.
14-Oct Coe @ Simpson 1:00 PM
14-Oct Dubuque @ Central 1:00 PM
14-Oct Loras @ Wartburg 1:00 PM
14-Oct Luther @ Buena Vista 1:00 PM

Simpson is improved and is pretty tough usually at home
Udub and Central and Wartburg and Loras in what could be 2 championship games
We could have a situation with 4 games left (5 for a few teams) of 5 teams realistically in the hunt for a title.

[dbljay21]

Wartburg getting 20.5 from Augsburg    Did you get that one backwards?  Shouldn't Wartburg be the favorite or am I missing something?

[SpeedKills84]

After a disappointing last week hopefully I can make a little bit of a rebound here.  Picks for the week:

Central over Luther           33-10           Central is just too good for a disheartened Luther squad

Dubuque over Coe            27-24            Playmakers will win the game for UD

Loras over Cornell             23-10            Until Cornell can show otherwise I'll take Loras

Simpson over BV                17-7             BV has an alright defense but is lacking in the offensive department

Wartburg over Augsburg        30-20      Another non-conference victory for the IIAC

[Walston Hoover]

My bad on that one. Hopefully its not an indicator of the way things will go Saturday.

[dbljay21]

Haven't heard anything about the attitude in Decorah this week, but Hefty won't let the Norse feel sorry for themselves or quit on the season. 

As far as the Simpson/BV game...I would have to give the slight edge to BV.  They are coming off a win and they are at home. 

I think you're right on with the Coe@UD game...that one could be very interesting.  UD is very explosive and Coe will be out to prove that they are still the team to beat in the conference. 

Loras should be able to get a win against a struggling Cornell team. 

Luther offense vs. Dutch Defense will be an interesting matchup.  The Norse can win in a shootout, but a defensive battle definitely favors the Dutch. 

Wartburg should have no problems with Augsburg and I wouldn't bet on them losing two in a row. 

I like the lines...picks will be made tomorrow.

[Storm-what?]

Simpson has won 17 of the past 19 against the Beavers, so my prediction is they continue that winning streak, even on the lake!

Coocoo, you are right, I was off a week. SC and Coe Vball matchup next Tuesday. But, SC did lose to BV (yes, BV!!!!) last night, so that's gonna take a little wind out of the sails I believe.

[ramfan27]

my picks

Central over Luther- I think Luther will play tougher than some people expect, I'd take Luther vs. your spread Walston but I think Central gets the W  17-10

Coe over UD- Dubuque is loaded with talent but I think Coe is too fundamentally sound and will just grind down the Spartatns until they give up a big play.  That being said if Coe starts turning it over they will be in trouble.  Kohawks 31-28

Loras over Cornell-  This pains me but the Rams offense has been MIA lately, hopefully they will prove me wrong but until there is some offensive output I'll the Duhawks  28-7

Simpson over BV- Bye week proves beneficial for the Storm.  I think this will be a very hard fought game but I think Simpson can pull it out on the road  21-17

Don't know much about Augsburg but gotta support the IIAC- Wartburg rolls Augsburg.

Good luck to everyone this weekend

[dbljay21]

Picks for the Week:

Easiest one first...Wartburg rolls Augsburg 28-7.  Chalk up another non-conference IIAC victory 8).

Loras beats Cornell 24-6.  Loras will still be jazzed up after a huge win last weekend and will control this one from the kickoff.

Simpson over BV at the lake 23-20.  I like the Storm after a bye week.

UD over Coe 31-27.  Spartans get a big play from Belleus (sp.) and win on the last possession.

Luther over Central 41-31 in an upset.  Luther vs. Central on Homecoming was good two seasons ago for the Norse and its good again this year.  Offense has another big week .

Good Luck to everybody this weekend.

[dutchfan1]

My picks for the week --
BV over Simpson
Loras over Cornell
Coe over UD
Central over Luther
Wartburg way over Augsburg

This was the easiest week to pick so far....

[Walston Hoover]

I don't know about it being the easiest week. I struggle with the BV/SImpson game and Coe/UD. Maybe I'm kidding myself that UD has a chance.
Luther has a chance to give Central fits but I doubt it.

[dbljay21]

I don't think anyone is kidding themselves if they think UD has a chance in any game this year.  With the explosiveness and athleticism they have, they should be in every single game they play.  It just depends on which Dubuque team shows up each Saturday.  I also had trouble with the Simpson/BV game.  You just don't know which team will be consistent.  And as far as Luther goes, I can't bring myself to pick against them...its just bad karma to pick against your Alma Mater 

Dowjone$ really picked a bad year to go AWOL.  He would be great to have around this year :