FB: American Rivers Conference

[Southfan]

Gentlemen,

As a former Iowa Conference Player, back before Coe and Cornell came into the league,  there were always the favorites Wartburg, Central, and Simpson.  Now I don't know who might win this conference this year let alone week in and week out.  Luther is going to give people a run for their money and Coe will be competitive.  I think that its time we turn our computers off, get in our cars and enjoy this year in the IIAC because its going to be one hell of a fun year!  Best of luck to all the teams this week!!!!

[WartTrainer]

I didnt know Pakk and i were fighting...anyway i am done talking about the Milikin no show and the close call with Augsburg its conference time.   

Charlie -- its good to see that the coaches are trying to save him for the conference season cause he will get so many touches then.  If they arent careful durability could be a issue later on.  Getting 40 touches a game means he has to get hit at least 35 times (that is assuming he will score 5 times and not get touched) which is a lot abuse on a body. 

Floyd -- the Knights offense will be getting a boost this week with the return of Hammes.  The other backs are ok but Hammes is a tough between the tackles type of runner which Wartburg football is all about.  The offense exlpodes this week with a huge day on the ground.   Go Knights.

[CaliRamRL6]

qbdriver - Cornell is not planning on leaving the IIAC. Give these guys a break. They're young on offense and unfortunately couldn't get it done against Iowa Wesleyan. Defense played great. Our offense kept the defense on the field entirely too long. No consistent drives are killing them and it's been killing them for years. As a recent grad I can attest to the frustration of "3 and outs". They'll come around. But until then, they'll have to scrap out every win.

[dutchfan1]

Hey all -- sorry for the absence.

Warthog, WH, it was great seeing you guys at the game Saturday. The Coco's (from Linfield, for you newcomers to the board) were in attendance, and they really enjoyed their time in Iowa, and especially for the hospitality shown by IIAC-ers.

After seeing Wartburg in action, I'll be interested to see how the conference shakes out this year. I think there was a huge sigh of relief Saturday when Augsburg wasn't able to score again in the final minutes. They had plenty of the Knight faithful worried... in my opinion, the Knights didn't look quite as sharp as they have  the past few seasons. The big question in my mind was whether or not the Knights will have the juice to pull out another conference championship this year. Time will tell.

Big congrats to my Dutch for going into conference play 2-0. It feels good to be on the right track again. From the stats, it looks as though it was quite the nail-biter. I hope Central is able to keep it together for Coe this weekend.

[War Pig]

Division III football would sure be a lot more exciting if you could bet on it.  Does anyone know of any betting websites for Division III football?  Are there any lines ever posted for these games?

[Lance Harbor]

All Right, guys, it's Wednesday.  Just a few days away from the opening of IIAC play.  Time to roll out some picks.  I'll get things started:

Coe 17, Central 13 - Kohawks get 'er done
Loras 35, Buena Vista 21 - Loras' offense is adjusting much better than I expected
Luther 27, Dubuque 17 - Luther gets back on track
Wartburg 20, Simpson 14 - Wartburg's D finally gets in gear; return of Hammes enough to give the Knights the W.

--------------------------------------------
I'm a little late this year on this, but I was thinking about having an IIAC weekly pick 'em.   Poster with the most correct by season's end wins.....somethin'.  I don't what it is yet, but I'll figure something out.  I have job now.  8)

[War Pig]

Okay, some betting lines is a great start.  Even though it would be nice to put up some money, it will be more interesting to see who is the best at picking the games.  Based on the scores you predicted, I'll take the following:

Coe -4, and I'll take the over on the 30 points
Buena Vista +14, under on the 56 points
Luther -10, under on the 45 points
Wartburg -6, over on the 34 points

I'm picking Coe and Wartburg as Co-Champs once again. 

[Scrubby41]

...both Central and BV, what is your take on Bethel?  Honestly, are they a solid football team or do you face better competion in your own league?

[The Show]

I wasn't able to attend the Bethel/BV game. From what I've heard from the game and read from the box score, Bethel was able to take advantage of turnovers, but may have a questionable secondary.  BV was able to pass on them fairly well with a first year starting QB.  I would guess that there are a few better teams in the IIAC.

War Pig - I would jump on that BV +14 as well!

[jerseyjohnny]

I was at the BV-Bethel game and it was a fairly ugly first-game-of-the season type of game.  Neither team was overly impressive on either side of the ball.  Bethel was suspect in the secondary and on special teams and BV could not run the ball or stop the run in the 4th quarter.  The turnovers helped Bethel, but their bigger o-line and superior conditioning led to the 4th quarter meltdown of the BV defense. 

Porta (the Bethel RB) had a good game against a very mediocre (f not poor) run defense.  Having seen BV play over the past 3 years and extensive experience watching SJU from the MIAC, Bethel would have been beaten easily by a poor SJU  team (6-3) on that day and BV would not have even been in the game.  Of course, it was the first game of the season and teams (hopefully) improve.

BV's QB did well in his first college start, but unless they get a running game they will be one-dimensional and easy to stop on offense...meaning their punter will have a chance to rack up some major yards this year (he is very good).

[qbdriver]

OK War Pig, I like your style!  I'm with you on all your picks!

Coe -4, and I'll also take the over on the 30 points
Buena Vista +14, under on the 56 points
Luther -10, under on the 45 points
Wartburg -6, over on the 34 points

On another note, does anyone know when the Rock will have their field turf completed?  Who will be the first team to play them on it?

Also,  Who are the best D-linemen in the conference?

[Walston Hoover]

Dutchfan, Coco, Warthog
Nice to see you guys. Way to many exciting games for me this weekend, Although one that I consider exciting was probably not nearly as exciting for a lot of you. Nice to see the new blood on the board. What's the over/under on how many games UD will lose before their new posters disappear.



I had all the predictions for the game typed up and my computer up and shuts down on me.
Since I'm too lazy to type them again-Here's the scores
Coe 17
Central 10 in a game that;s not as close as the score sounds

Luther 58
UD       21 in a game that's not as close as the score sounds

Loras 20
BV      18 on a last second field goal

Wartburg 27
Simpson   20  Simpson tries all game to get their ground game going to no avail. It catches coach Willis off guard who has prepared 9,364 blitz packages for this game (far less than he has prepared in the years past) When they start throwing it around, both teams get some points on the board. Hammes keys the resurgence of the Wartburg running game. Simpson ends the game on the Wartburg 35.

[Pakk]

I like BV over loras, anyone over Dubuque, Simpson in a close one over wartburg, and flip a coin on the Central-Coe game.  I do believe whoever wins the Coe Central game will be conference champs, and whoever loses the game will slip to a tie for third place in the IIAC.

[keith45]

Last year it was Coe, this year its Luther...UD 27, Luther 24..I think speed kills this weekend

[The Show]

I'm taking BV, Central, Luther, and Simpson.

BV wins by scaring Loras all week about the pass, which opens up Pearson and the BVRBC for a big game on the ground.

Central finds a way to win.  It may be ugly, but a win's a win.

Luther runs all day over Dubuque.

Simpson can't run.  Wartburg can't pass.  Simpson gets up early which forces Wartburg to try and pass. Simpson squeaks one out.

Walston - I thought BV usually wins their conference opener with a last second FG...