FB: American Rivers Conference

[keith45]

I had to take a few screen shots and send them to my old basketball team mates..UD picked as high as third in football?? good lord!

I think their D will be tough, if they can stay a bit more disciplined..they have the speed, but it looked to me (and I only saw a few games and listened to a few more) that they over ran or gambled a bit much....
Jackson could end up as MVP of the conference
Loras at UD for homecoming, 2007...that will be a tough one...
Also, look out for 1-2 transfer studs to help out...but they arent seniors though!

[Floyd in Iowa City]

Sounds like Wartburg and Central had big freshman classes, the roster indicates that Simpson brought in around 40. Anyone else?

Show- Only 20 freshman at BV? I don't know if this is true, I heard it from a friend of a friend. You know, one of those deals.

Luther has 35 freshmen and transfers listed on the bio/newcomers part of the football page.  With the WR talent that they already have, I believe the two JUCO players are both going to be at WR.  They brought in kickers to upgrade and challenge at least the kickoff part of that specialty position.  

How all of the new DBs and younger DBs challenge the returning veterans at CB and S as the season goes on will be interesting as only one DB (one of the safeties) played above average for most of last season (IMO).  Everyone else on the back end of the defense needs to prove themselves no matter how much experience they got last season.

[DutchHawk]

Dubuque has had athletes for years but never the discipline. Thats what keeps them from being great. They are streaky as well, they beat Wartburg at Waverly but get slaughtered by Central at Central. They have the capabilities if Brautigam can instill some teamwork and get rid of the me attitude.

[Walston Hoover]

I don't know if things have changed since I was in school, but UD had some terrible linemen when I was in school.

[orange]

1.  Central
2.  Dubuque and Wartburg
4.  Coe
5.  Luther
6.  Loras and BV
8.  Cornell
9.  Simpson

Not my wish, but my guess.  I'll be rootin' for the Knights, but the inexperienced quarterback gives me the willies.

[Floyd in Iowa City]

I don't know if things have changed since I was in school, but UD had some terrible linemen when I was in school.

The trenches were the weakest areas last year in the game I saw.  The QB got out of trouble quite often on offense to bail out defeated blocks.  The Luther Defense additionally put almost no one in the box since they were so worried about the Dubuque skill at WR.

Luther was able to run right at Dubuque whenever they wanted for the most part.  You just can't give up a zillion yards on defense, a punt return TD, and a kick return TD.

It wasn't a day for defense.

[MNbeev]

Yes it is true that BV did only bring in 21 freshman.  But from what I hear there is a few players that could make a difference.

[Save a Tree]

My Picks

1st Central.....Great coach & runningback
1st Wartburg... Good Lineman & Defense
3rd Loras....  Defense will be good, poor offensive play calling might cost them top 3 finish
4th BV ...Talent, but no enough lineman to get it done
5th Coe.... good coach & some talent, need another year
6th Dubuque....  Good players, poor team work
7th Luther...  stud RB if he is healthy, all they have
8th Simpson...  Not a bad defense, no Offense
9th Cornell.... need more play makers...

Top Two have best o-lines in confrence, thats why they win games

[sc_stormchaser]

I'm sorry, but there's no excuse for only bringing in 20 players. Not to keep asking about numbers, but I also heard that BV's overall enrollment numbers are really suffering. I happened to be seated next to the BV chaplin at a wedding reception this summer and he was complaining about the low enrollment numbers the past few years. Good thing BV has a HUGE endowment.

[Pat Coleman]

News of interest to IIAC fans.

[Floyd in Iowa City]

IIAC approves limited spring practice

This is good news!  I remember reading the MN. Star Tribune article on the MIAC adding spring practice and wondering when the Iowa Conference would come around since Iowa is already a smaller population state when compared with Minnesota.

It is a start towards trying to remain competitive.  I still would like to see more freedom given to Iowa Conference baseball programs compared to the other D. III leagues, but at least baseball has for some time been allowed some sort of limited structure.

I wonder how this will change how often schools schedule Europe football trips after school is out?

[Charlie Kohawk]

News of interest to IIAC fans.

That IS great news for everyone.

[footballdaddy]

What does this do to the football budgets for teams that employ part-time coaches?

[Willie University]

Yes it is true that BV did only bring in 21 freshman.  But from what I hear there is a few players that could make a difference.

This could have a SERIOUS impact on BV's future success. Maybe they won't feel it so much this year but you pretty much eliminate the chance for any senior leadership in 4 years when there is only a few left.

My Predictions:

1. Central
2. UD
3. Wartburg
4. Loras
5. Luther
6. Coe
7. BV
8. Simpson
9. Cornell

Willie U

[Pat Coleman]

What does this do to the football budgets for teams that employ part-time coaches?

Are there a lot of part time head coaches in the IIAC?