FB: American Rivers Conference

[knightlife06]

Since I procrastinated so long last week and didn't get my picks in I've decided to change my routine and get em done early.  So here we go.

Luther 31 Cornell 14   - Luther finally plays the game they've been waiting for, getting the W over an overmatched Cornell squad.

Dubuque 20 Simpson 17 - This was a tough one to pick.  I still don't know about Dubuque.  Very inconsistent which will scare me in the coming weeks.  Simpson D will keep them in it but the offense is non-existent.

Central 14 Loras 3 - Loras could surprise in this game but I doubt it.  Central has their heads screwed on tight and they'll be fine with their defense. 

Knights 20 BV 3 - Wartburg's defense is playing well right now.  I'm still waiting for Bauder to hit some receivers.  I know the talent is their at WR we just haven't gotten them the balls.  Vin Zant has been very silent this year and I figured he'd be one of the best in the conference.  The running game has been excellent especially figuring in the lack of pass-o.  BV's defense has been solid but their offense relies too much on the big play.  Should be a good one.

[Floyd in Iowa City]

I really like the B.V. QB, but the Beavers struggle to protect him or run the ball consistently.  That does not bode well for playing the Wartburg Defense.

B.V. did play run defense better in person than at least 2 or 3 other IIAC opponents that I have seen this year.

When is the last time that Wartburg averaged less than 100 yards passing for a season?  The Knight Defense has really done a great job this year of not letting the team fall behind or get in situations where they had to throw to get back into the game.

[dutchfan1]

I need to redeem myself after last week in the Pick 'Em contest....

Luther over Cornell
UD over Simpson
Wartburg over BV
Central over Loras

Charlie, Charlie, you are losing faith, my friend. You still have a chance in the pick 'em..... what's with the picks this week??

[DutchFan2004]

Walston,

I thought Hammes was a senior.  So you won't be all back will you?


I thought they were good though I am still laughing.

[DutchFan2004]

Walston,

I think the better way to descibe the Dutch is


GET ER DONE

they just seem to get it done.

[Walston Hoover]

I think if I remember right, in the 2-deep there are 3 seniors on defense and 4 on offense for Wartburg. That defense will be tough. I'd like to see a great finish to this year first though.

[Dsquared]

I was just taking WH's advice and looking back through old statistics from iowaconference.com and noticed something pretty interesting.  For the 5 seasons preceding the current one, Wartburg only had a total of 4 players of the week... Mike Donnenworth was player of the week 4 times by himself.  Quick breakdown:

School / Conference Titles (since 2001) / Players of the week

BVU / 8 / 0
Central / 5 / 3 (1 outright)
Coe / 10 / 3 (0 outright)
Cornell / 5 / 0
Dubuque / 2 / 0
Loras / 3 / 0
Luther / 3 / 0
Simpson / 12 / 0
Wartburg / 4 / 3 (1 outright)

During the same span, Wartburg is the only team in the conference to not only have no losing conference seasons, they haven't lost more than 2 conference games in any year since 2001.  I know that any given team can have those types of runs, but I'm just going off what iowaconference.com is giving me.

Any thoughts on the # of players of the week vs. team success?  I attribute Wartburg and Central's success to an unbelievable concept of team... no one shining star, but a unit that is year in and year out studly.

Sorry... I was bored on a Tuesday night... gimme a break:)

[SpeedKills84]

Picks for the Week:

Luther over Cornell    27-13          Cornell has trouble stopping the pass against one of the best passing offenses in the conferences....and i still believe Luther is much better than their record shows.

Central over Loras    31-20           After playing in terrible conditions and still looking good, the Dutch have this one in hand.

Dubuque over Simpson        41-12       Simpson has failed to impress me this season and Dubuque is leagues above the Storm athletically.

Wartburg over BV       34-9       Kemmerer kicks 3 over 50 yds but no one cares cause this one wont even be close.

[Oakrugnuck Tree]

I really like the B.V. QB, but the Beavers struggle to protect him or run the ball consistently.  That does not bode well for playing the Wartburg Defense.

B.V. did play run defense better in person than at least 2 or 3 other IIAC opponents that I have seen this year.

When is the last time that Wartburg averaged less than 100 yards passing for a season?  The Knight Defense has really done a great job this year of not letting the team fall behind or get in situations where they had to throw to get back into the game.

I agree.  Chris Hawkins is a pretty darn good QB when he's gettin good protection.  Nigel Horton has struggled this season at tackle and so have some others, but when Hawk is rushed, he makes bad decisions.  Overall though, I like this years line-they're pretty good.  Also, it's not necessarily that the line is not good at run blocking for the Beavs, but we don't have any Chris Rowedders or Chad Pearsons.  Little Row and Stout aren't bad, but i don't think they are patient enough and often do not pick the right seam.  They're not horrible, though.  Beavs always have good WR's and they do again this year-lots of depth and talent with Kaufman, Svenson and Stewart.  D is finally playing really well.  Mike Sly is a freak and Cody Pierce cleans up everything.  Wade Hammen is playing really well and is just plain crazy, uses his helmet all the time and just kills people.  I like BV's chances against Wartburg although they may probably be the better team.  Beavs are on a roll and I think that will really help.  But now, to my picks:

UD over Simpson-athletes get it done for Sparts
Central over Loras-Duhawks not that good after all
Luther over Cornell-Norse, finally a win-thank god for the Rams!
BV over Wartburg-Ok, so I might be a little bit of a homer, but I think my Beavs pull off the upset by the lake and take one from the Knights

[Charlie Kohawk]

I need to redeem myself after last week in the Pick 'Em contest....

Luther over Cornell
UD over Simpson
Wartburg over BV
Central over Loras

Charlie, Charlie, you are losing faith, my friend. You still have a chance in the pick 'em..... what's with the picks this week??

Hi Dutchfan1. I'm all about keepin' the faith. That's why my picks reflect the crazy scenario I laid out on Sunday. Besides, we both took Luther and UD.

[ramfan27]

Weekly picks-

Luther over Cornell- Again, I think the Rams have a good chance if they put 4 quarters together, but lately it hasn't happened.  Luther 31-21

Simpson over UD- I jumped on the UD bandwagon and they killed me. Simpson 24-14

Central over Loras- The Duhawks will make it close but the Dutch D is solid and they know how to win games.  Central 21-10

Wartburg over BV- Knights keep rolling, take care of the Beav.  Wartburg 35-10

[lorbec47]

Picks--

Wartburg over the Beav--Wartburg won't give them three TD's like Loras did.
Luther over Cornell
UD over Simpson--I'm loyal what can I say
Loras over Central--I'm loyal what can I say

[Dsquared]

Since 1999 (including this year), Wartburg owns a 30-3 mark in the friendly confines of Walston Hoover / Knights Stadium.  I can't trace Central's record back that far, but I know that they've got 2 losses in that time frame at home to the Knights... I can't imagine them losing many more than that.  Even in 2004 all of their conference losses were on the road (save the one to the Knights). 

My point... never bet against Wartburg or Central at home, unless they are playing each other.  Loras has no chance this weekend...

[DutchFan2004]

Dsquared,

last year their only loss was to Coe at home, and then to UWW in the playoffs at UWW.

[Walston Hoover]

That # must be regular season.
We lost in 99 to PLU in the playoffs (well, maybe lost isn't the right word for it)
2002 to Coe
2004 to Loras
2005 to Central
I was just thinking that off the top of my head I could name every Wartburg loss since 1998. Its nice not to have that many to remember.